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Mark Bresciano's last-gasp goal gave Australia a 1-0 victory in Bahrain to maintain their perfect start to the final round of World Cup Asian qualifiers.

The midfielder (pictured) pounced on a rare defensive mistake by Bahrain inside the penalty box to lift the ball into the roof of the net three minutes into injury time.

The win was Australia's third in as many matches and left them in a strong position to reach the 2010 finals in South Africa.

They lead the five-team Group A table on nine points, with the top two qualifying and third going into a play-off.

"I'm very happy, we didn't deserve the three points," Australia coach Pim Verbeek said afterwards. "It was a tough game, we were never in control.

"One point would have been good for us. I'll say we're lucky to win this game. We would have been lucky to get one point."

It was a cruel result for Bahrain, who have one point from three games. They dominated from the outset and were unlucky not to go ahead after creating a number of clear-cut chances.

Nigerian-born striker Jaycee John troubled the visiting defence all night without finding a way past the Socceroos, who were missing several key players including Brett Emerton, Scott McDonald, Vince Grella, Craig Moore and Matthew Spiranovic.

John missed a golden chance to score in the second half when he failed to connect with a sweetly-timed cross from Salman Isa.

Australia did not manage a shot on target in the first hour.

"I don't know what happened, I just can't explain it," said Bahrain coach Milan Macala.

"We played against the best team in Asia, I think we created many, many chances, but it wasn't possible for us to score.

"Maybe we can qualify but in this match we needed three points."

Japan boosted their World Cup qualifying hopes with a comfortable 3-0 win over Qatar.

The victory gave second-placed Japan seven points from three games in Group A of the Asian zone, two behind Australia.

Qatar are third with four points from four matches. The top two in the five-team section go through to the 2010 finals in South Africa.

The home side started promisingly but were kept at bay by goalkeeper Kawaguchi Yoshikatsu. Japan gradually took control and went ahead through Tanaka Tatsui in the 19th minute after Talal Al Balushi lost possession near the centre circle.

Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, playing with a heavily bandaged right knee, helped to keep the visitors on top and they made it 2-0 with a long-range shot from Tamada Keiji in the 47th. Nakamura then set up Tanaka Tulio to head the third after 68 minutes.

Iran captain Karim Bagheri scored with nine minutes remaining to salvage a 1-1 draw against the United Arab Emirates in their Group B qualifier in Dubai.

UAE skipper Abdul Raheem Jumaa gave his team a great chance of recording their first win over Iran when he scored for the home team in the 20th minute.

But Bagheri equalised in the 81st minute to spare his team's blushes and earn a vital point in the Group Two qualifier.

Iran have five points from the first three of their eight qualifying matches while the UAE have one point from four games.

Saudi Arabia lost 2-0 at home to South Korea in the other Grouop B match.

In-form striker Lee Keun-ho broke the deadlock in the 77thminute before substitute Park Chu-young sealed victory in stoppage time.

South Korea's win lifted the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists to the top of Group B with seven points from three games in the final round of Asian qualifiers.

Iran are second on five with North Korea and Saudi Arabia on four and United Arab Emirates on one.

The top two countries in the five-team standings qualify directly for the 2010 World Cup while the third-placed side proceeds to a playoff.

Reuters