Australia took one step closer to qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ after they earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Group 1 rivals Japan. Australia sit atop Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Group A with ten points at the halfway stage with Japan in second spot on eight points.
Group 1 rivals Bahrain kept their qualification hopes alive after a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan.
In Group 2, North Korea’s 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia keeps them on course for their first finals appearance since 1966. North Korea remain unbeaten after four matches with two wins and two draws while their rivals and neighbours South Korea clinched a dramatic last gasp 1-1 draw with Iran.
South Korea, North Korea and Iran all remain unbeaten with South Korea clear at the top by virtue of a superior goal difference.
Saudi Arabia’s hopes have taken a nose dive after two consecutive losses but they remain in contention for a third place finish.
The top two teams in each AFC group qualify for the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa next year while the best placed fifth ranked nation – in this case, one of either Iran or Bahrain – would meet 2008 OFC Nations Cup holders New Zealand in a home and away play-off with the winner advancing to the finals.
Image courtesy www.the-afc.com
GROUP 1 – Standings
|
PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
GD |
||
|
1. |
Australia |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
10 |
+6 |
|
2. |
Japan |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
3 |
8 |
+4 |
|
3. |
Bahrain |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
-1 |
|
4. |
Qatar |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
8 |
4 |
-4 |
|
5. |
Uzbekistan |
4 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
-5 |
GROUP 2 – Standings
|
PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
GD |
||
|
1. |
Korea Republic |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
8 |
3 |
8 |
+5 |
|
2. |
Korea DPR |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
|
+2 |
|
3. |
Iran |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
+1 |
|
4. |
Saudi Arabia |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
-2 |
|
5. |
United Arab Emirates |
4 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
9 |
1 |
-5 |