Uzbekistan qualify for World Cup for first time
Uzbekistan's players celebrate after booking their berth in the FIFA World Cup for the first time with a draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi (Fadel SENNA)
Uzbekistan have reached their first World Cup following a goalless draw with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, while Jordan moved to the top of Group B thanks to a win in Oman and Saudi Arabia set up a qualifier decider with Australia next week.
Uzbekistan, one of the fastest-rising national teams in Asia, kept their hosts at bay in the Emirati capital to seal the second automatic spot in Group A and make history. Iran, who take on Qatar later on Thursday, have already secured their place in next year's tournament in North America.
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The UAE, who had Cosmin Olaroiu taking charge for the first time having last month replaced Paulo Bento as manager, must now contest a further round of qualifying.
The top two teams in each of the three Asian groups go straight to the World Cup, while those finishing third and fourth enter a fourth round of qualifiers.
Jordan are on the verge of joining Uzbekistan at a first World Cup courtesy of a superb 3-0 victory against Oman in Muscat.
Ali Olwan scored all three goals to send the 2023 Asian Cup runners-up to the top of the group.
They now lead second-placed South Korea on goal difference, with the perennial World Cup qualifiers still to play third-placed Iraq on Thursday. Jordan welcome Iraq to Amman in five days' time in the third round's final set of fixtures.
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Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia defeated Bahrain 2-0 in Riffa to tee up a showdown with Australia for the second automatic spot in Group C.
- Australia dramatic late winner -
With Australia snatching a last-minute victory against already qualified Japan earlier, Herve Renard's men had to win to push the race for second to Tuesday.
The Saudis got off to the perfect start, when on 16 minutes rising star Musab Al Juwayr met captain Salem Al Dawsari's pinpoint cross to the back post to volley home.
The visitors then survived a few nervy moments in the second half before Abdulrahman Al Obud made safe the result 12 minutes from time with a goal on the counter.
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The win keeps Saudi third, three points behind Australia, although with a far inferior goal difference. Only a huge victory for the Gulf side in Jeddah would see them leapfrog the Socceroos.
Australia remain in pole position following their last-gasp win against group leaders Japan in Perth.
Defender Aziz Behich was the home hero in front of more than 57,000 fans, rifling into the corner in the 90th minute to give Tony Popovic's side a crucial 1-0 victory.
"We know there's room to grow and room to improve, but we've done something special tonight," said Popovic, who saw his team outplayed for long periods by an experimental Japan side.
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The former international, who replaced Graham Arnold in the dugout in September, added: "We've all played a part in getting us to this point. We want to go to Saudi Arabia and really finish the job off."
Also in Group C, Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia kept alive their hopes of reaching a first World Cup since the country's independence in 1945 with a 1-0 win over China.
That leaves Indonesia fourth in the group, one point behind Saudi Arabia.
Ole Romeny scored the only goal, his controversial penalty just before half time following a VAR check leaving China rooted to the bottom of the group and thus ending their hopes of making a second World Cup.
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