Qatar forward Akram Afif said on Thursday that he encouraged local fans to throw objects onto the pitch to waste time during a decisive World Cup qualification match against the United Arab Emirates.

Brazil’s endless production line of prodigies has unveiled its latest gem in Estevao Willian, who announced himself on the international stage with a spectacular first goal in Brazil’s 3-0 win over Chile in a World Cup qualifier at the Maracana Stadium on Friday.

Thomas Tuchel's side were booed off by England fans in the RCDE Stadium after failing to impress against a team ranked 173rd in the world.

Dorival Junior was on Friday sacked as Brazil coach, three days after a humiliating 4-1 World Cup qualifying defeat by bitter rivals Argentina, the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) announced.

Australia beat China 2-0 on Tuesday to boost their chances of automatic World Cup qualification, but Saudi Arabia stayed in touch in Group C with a goalless draw in Japan.

Australia coach Graham Arnold has lashed out at the "dangerous and unacceptable" pitch in Bangladesh for their football World Cup qualifier, saying he was stressed all match about potential injuries.

Thousands cheered a tearful Sunil Chhetri off the pitch after his last match for India on Thursday, bringing to a close an international career which put him among the world's all-time leading scorers.

Bangladesh are eager to give visiting Australia a tough time when they square off in a Group I fixture of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Dhaka today.