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Australia and S Korea clinical but Japan struggle in World cup qualifier

Article Published: Wednesday 15 October 2008

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Australia and South Korea took maximum points to reinforce their credentials in the race to the World Cup finals but Asian powerhouses Japan struggled to a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan Wednesday.

The Socceroos scored a clinical 4-0 win over Qatar in Brisbane with a brace by Blackburn Rovers star Brett Emerton and goals from Everton's Tim Cahill and another by Josh Kennedy.

It puts Pim Verbeek's men on top of Group A with six points from two games, following their earlier win against Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

Qatar have four points from three games. Japan also have four points but have played one match less. Bahrain, with one point, didn't play Wednesday.

In Group B, South Korea, who made the semi-finals on home turf in 2002, eased past winless United Arab Emirates 4-1 in Seoul with a double from Lee Keun-Ho and goals by Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung and Kwak Tae-Hwi.

They are now level with Saudi Arabia and North Korea on four points from two games, with their northern neighbours playing Iran in Tehran later Wednesday.

The Saudis had a night off.

Australia, looking for back-to-back trips to the 2010 World Cup finals after reaching the knockout round in Germany two years ago, were good value for their victory.

The result never looked in doubt after Cahill pounced with a rapier finish in the ninth minute.

A long ball from Luke Wilkshire was helped on by David Carney and Kennedy to leave the Everton poacher unmarked on the left to drill home for his 14th goal in 29 internationals.

Cahill was in the action again eight minutes later when he was impeded by Abdulla Koni and was awarded a penalty.

Emerton converted and he wrapped it up with his second goal, finishing off lead-up play from strikers Scott McDonald and Kennedy in the 59th minute.

Kennedy capped a fine match when he headed home a deep cross with 14 minutes left.

"I'm not going to start running around with a bottle of champagne and celebrating yet, but it's six points from two games and five goals with none conceded," coach Verbeek said.

Japan should have done better against Uzbekistan, who had lost their previous two qualifying games.

The home side rode their luck in Saitama, coming from a goal down to salvage the draw. Striker Keiji Tamada scored the crucial equaliser after a prolonged bout of Uzbek pressure.

Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura lofted the ball into the box where striker Yoshito Okubo got a touch before Tamada stabbed it in from close range in the 40th minute.

Uzbekistan were the better side early on and deservedly took the lead through Maksim Shatskikh in the 28th minute.

"Uzbekistan were desperate after losing two games earlier and they were aggressive," said Japan coach Takeshi Okada.

"I was very disappointed because we needed a win, but my players did very well to score a goal." In Seoul, South Korea overwhelmed the United Arab Emirates in a dominant performance.

Korea struck first in the 19th minute when Lee Keun-Ho slammed the ball past goalkeeper Majed Nasser.

Shortly after, Lee Young-Pyo, who plays for Borussia Dortmund, crossed for Park, and when Bashir Saeed fluffed his clearance, Korean skipper Park pounced on the loose ball.

Al Hammadi cut the lead in the 71st minute before Lee Keun-Ho put the match out of reach with 10 minutes left. Kwak added another as the clock ticked down.

"The players found holes in the UAE defence and took advantage," said South Korean coach Huh Jung-Moo.

"But we've just cleared one obstacle. We'll be prepared for the away match at Saudi Arabia next month."

Sapa-AFP




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