SINGAPORE (AFP) - The coaches of China and Iran Tuesday put brave faces on their failure to win their latest round of World Cup qualifying games as they desperately try to turn things around.

Only the top two teams from each of the five groups progress to the final phase of Asian qualifying, and at the halfway stage Vladimir Petrovic and Ali Daei know their teams need to start scoring goals -- and quickly.

While slow-starters Australia, Japan and Saudi Arabia bounced back to win their crucial tests, Iran and China were left ruing missed chances, dropping points against United Arab Emirates and Qatar respectively.

China's 0-0 result leaves them in third place in Group One, four adrift of Australia and a point behind Qatar, who they meet again in Tianjin on Saturday.

"I think we are still in the competition. This is a good result for us -- we had come here for a win but getting a 0-0 draw is not bad at all," said Petrovic, while apparently left looking for excuses.

"It was an extremely difficult match for us in very trying playing conditions. It was very hot and humid.

"My players looked tired because of the tough playing conditions and because of the long season for many of them."

Harry Kewell's goal helped Australia beat Iraq 1-0 and they play their return leg in Dubai with a win essentially sending them through.

Iran played in the World Cup in France in 1998 and again in Germany in 2006, but, like China, they are struggling to qualify for South Africa, taking only three points from three matches in Group Five.

It leaves them two points behind UAE and Syria, who beat Kuwait 1-0 to bolster their hopes.

A defiant Daei felt his side were unfortunate not to claim all three points after they were held to a goalless draw by UAE, but blasted their wasteful finishing.

"I prepared the players to win but a coach can't put on the kit and go onto the pitch and score goals. We needed more luck," he said, adding any more slip-ups were unacceptable.

"We're only interested in taking three points from the last three matches."

In contrast, a pair of Asia's second-tier outfits stole the show on Monday, with Uzbekistan and Bahrain remaining the only two teams with perfect records.

The Uzbeks beat Singapore 7-3 and lead their group by three points from Saudi Arabia, whose 4-1 drubbing of Lebanon was a welcome boost for coach Helio dos Anjos, although he feels they can still improve.

"Although we scored four goals I am not satisfied with the performance of my team," said the Brazilian.

The defeats leave Lebanon and Singapore struggling to stay in the race.

Thailand are another team almost certainly out of contention after losing 3-2 at home to Bahrain in Group Two for their third straight defeat.

It leaves Bahrain on nine points, three points clear of Japan, with Oman hanging on in third.

Japan coach Takeshi Okada was relieved to get a 3-0 victory over Oman after losing to Bahrain in an earlier qualifying game, and he praised the effort of his players.

"They built up the attack in an intelligent manner and kept their heads in front of goal," he said.

"They also showed their passion to fight for the ball and chase their opponents when we were defending."

In Group Three, South Korea and North Korea are locked together on five points, one clear of third-placed Jordan with another round of matches on Saturday.