World Cup qual - Asia: Saudi, Bahrain fail to win

Eurosport - Wed, 10 Jun 21:30:00 2009

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain spurned the chance of a smooth passage to the World Cup finals after failing to secure away wins against teams already through to South Africa.

FOOTBALL Saudi Arabia's Hawsawi Mohammed Mohammednor (L) reacts with Alshamrani Nassir Ali (R) after missing a shot during their 2010 World Cup qualifying match against South Korea - 0

Both countries must now contest tense final matches next week to decide who takes the remaining automatic berth and the two play-off spots.

Iran, however, stayed in the hunt for a place at their fourth finals appearance with a one-sided 1-0 win over United Arab Emirates sealed by a superb solo goal by Ali Karimi in Tehran.

Bahrain lost 2-0 to a weakened Australian team in Sydney, while the Saudis were held to a goalless draw by South Korea in Seoul.

Japan, who have already qualified, secured a 1-1 draw with Qatar in Yokohama, an own goal after three minutes ending the Gulf side's faint hopes of reaching their first finals.

The Saudis are level on 11 points with North Korea, whom they will meet in Riyadh with the winner guaranteed the second automatic place in Group Two.

With Japan and Australia through, Bahrain must avoid a home defeat by Uzbekistan to gain Group One's play-off place.

Australia maintained their unbeaten record thanks to goals by Mile Sterjovski and David Carney.

They started slowly but scored twice after the break, with Scott McDonald also going close and Harry Kewell and Jason Culina hitting the woodwork.

"We hoped we could get a point because we have a World Cup dream," Bahrain's Czech coach Milan Macala said afterwards.

"But to get that point we needed more courage offensively because we did not create opportunities."

In Yokohama, Japan went in front after just three minutes through an own goal by Ahmed Ali Albinali but the Qataris levelled through Ali Yahya's penalty in the 53rd minute.

Japan appeared to lack focus having already booked their place at the tournament.

"We wasted a lot of energy tonight by making things too difficult," playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura told reporters. "We wore ourselves out and still have a lot of areas to improve on."

Iran should have won by a greater margin against a winless UAE team.

Vahid Hashemian could have fired Iran ahead in spectacular fashion on three minutes and his team missed a succession of chances in a frustrating first half.

The hosts got their goal soon after the break when former Asian player of the year Karimi skipped around the defence before striking the ball superbly into the bottom corner.

Iran can take the remaining automatic place if they beat South Korea on June 17 and North Korea and Saudi Arabia are held to a draw.

In Seoul, the 10-man Saudis had little impact in their penultimate game and South Korea dominated the match inspired by midfielder Park Ji-sung.

Reuters

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  1. Some people have short memories. I seem to remember­ Australia giving a full strength England team a bit of­ a whipping back in 2003. I seem to remember a fit Harry­ Kewell skinning England's so called "Premier­ Defender" Rio Ferdinand and sticking the ball in­ the back of the net. The embarassing thing for England­ in that match was that the second string side (which­ included a 17yr old called Wayne Rooney and that great­ England striker Francis Jeffers!) that played the­ second half were miles better than the main team. I­ know you can't live on past glories, but if I hear­ any poms mention '66 again, I'll have to beat­ them around the head with a wet haddock.

    From Philip, on Thu 11 Jun 3:23AM

  2. Southern Hemisphere you mean London.

    Stick to Aussie­ Rules you Wombats. You were playing in Asian Section as­ your Prisons are overcrowded. Get back to the Simpson­ Desert, Stick to Sheep and Cattle and Cane Toads. Even­ the Wallaby Rugby Team is Rubbish,your drunk­ cricketers, A bite off an Aussie is worse than a Blue­ Ringed Octopus Your Mouths are bigger than a Great­ Whites and a Blue Whales.

    From reddevil155, on Wed 10 Jun 11:56PM

  3. New­ Zealand is considering a switch to AFC. Who can­ blame them. Aussie sleep walked into WC. They will­ get crushed in WC.

    From Silver N, on Wed 10 Jun 11:53PM

  4. COME ON IRAN WE CAN QUALIFY!!!!!!!

    From saeed, on Wed 10 Jun 11:51PM

  5. Yeah so how come us Aussie,s beat you poms last time we­ played your so called superstars of the premier league,­ and just wait until the rounders version of cricket is­ over and the pommies have to play Test cricket .

    From OZBLADES7, on Wed 10 Jun 8:51PM

  6. Did Australia bribe their way into an easy group? They­ are not in Asia something fishy going on, Will New­ Zealand join them in the southern hemisphere for 2014?­ Both teams are better suited to Rugby or Cricket and­ can't stand up against a half decent team

    From Ronsenglish, on Wed 10 Jun 5:17PM
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