Qatar and the United Arab Emirates grabbed the remaining places in the final round of World Cup qualifiers with late goals in their matches.

Qatar kept alive their dreams of reaching the finals and buried those of Iraq when Sayd Ali Bechir scored with a header 13 minutes from time to clinch the second qualifying spot behind Australia, with Iraq needing only a draw to advance.

The UAE's passage to the final round also went right to the wire, with Ismail Matar's 80th-minute spot kick putting them through on goal difference at the expense of part-timers Syria.

"We didn't take the chances that came our way and nearly paid for it," said UAE's French coach Bruno Metsu. "Nothing is guaranteed in football. Syria played a fantastic game. They played with more commitment and purpose."

They join North Korea, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Australia and recent World Cup regulars Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Iran in the final round of qualifiers for the 2010 finals.

A freak 89th-minute goal from Atsuto Uchida in rain-soaked Saitama gave Japan a 1-0 win over Bahrain and the overall Group Two victory, while China finished off their failed campaign on a high with a surprise win over Australia.

Iran beat Kuwait 2-0 to win Group Five and South Korea topped Group Three after a dour 0-0 draw with fierce foes North Korea.

Already-eliminated China salvaged some pride when Sun Xiang volleyed into the top right corner with 12 minutes on the clock to beat Group One winners Australia in Sydney.

China could have had a second goal in the 77th minute when Charlton Athletic's Zheng Zhi missed a penalty he was forced to re-take after an encroachment in the area on his initial attempt.

The victory was too little, too late for China's under-fire coach Vladomir Petrovic, whose team's abysmal campaign has angered fans and prompted calls for the entire soccer federation to quit.

"This victory is not very important to us," the Serbian said. "We already lost in qualification for the World Cup."

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek opted to play a weakened team, which failed to contain the Chinese, leading to their first home defeat in a World Cup qualifier in 27 years.

"It's disappointing to lose at home and we're not happy about it," Australia captain Harry Kewell said. "[The next round] is going to be tough but we're prepared for that."

Saudi Arabia passed Uzbekistan to win Group Four, thrashing the former Soviet state 4-0 in Riyadh, with goals from Abdoh Autef, Malek Al Hawsawi (2) and Saad Al Harthi.

Japan's performance was typical of their stop-start campaign and the three-times World Cup qualifiers were almost made to rue their misfiring in front of goal.

Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura failed to convert a penalty and Keisuke Honda missed an open goal after Yasuhito Endo had struck the bar just before the break.

"We didn't play badly. We just need to be sharper with our finishing," Japan coach Takeshi Okada said. "I'm confident we will get through the final round of qualifiers."

In Seoul, South Korean substitute Park Chu-young botched the best chance of a dire game 16 minutes from time when he somehow fired over the bar just five metres from goal.

South Korea coach Huh Jung-mo said his team's inability to score as a major problem ahead of round four.

"There won't be any easy matches in the next round and we have a very short time to prepare," he said.

Oman took third place in Group Two after a 2-1 win over bottom side Thailand. Jordan beat Turkmenistan 2-0 and Singapore sunk Lebanon 2-1 to finish third in Group Four.

Reuters