[b]For the second time running, Japan became the first side to qualify for a World Cup, booking its spot with a 1-0 win at Uzbekistan on Saturday night.

Australia and South Korea qualified for South Africa 2010 hours later after matches in the Middle East.

Australia qualified for back-to-back World Cups for the first with a scoreless draw at Qatar, replacing Japan atop Group A. Both teams have 14 points but the Socceroos have a superior goal difference.

South Korea ensured its seventh straight trip to football's showpiece tournament, the 2002 semifinalists scoring a 2-0 win at last-place United Arab Emirates in Group B.

Park Chu-young and Ki Sung-yeung both scored in the first half. South Korea tops the group with 14 points.

North Korea missed an opportunity to take a large stride toward South Africa when it was held to a scoreless draw at home against Iran. That result did little for either side, with Iran's qualification hopes now hanging by a thread.

Japan secured its fourth straight World Cup place on an unusual goal in the ninth minute.

Kengo Nakamura looped a pass into path of Shinji Okazaki.

Under pressure from a defender and stumbling, Okazaki got a shot away which was blocked at close range by Uzbek keeper Ignatiy Nesterov, but the Japan striker - falling to ground - somehow managed to get his head to the rebound and put it into the net.

The visitors got the ball in the net again soon after, but it was ruled out for offside.

Japan carved out the best opportunities throughout the match, but was increasingly on the back foot in the last 15 minutes.

Server Djeparov's cultured left foot came close to scoring on a few occasions, and Japan midfielder Makoto Hasebe was shown a straight red card in the 89th minute for raising an arm into the face of the Uzbek winger when blocking.

Japan manager Takeshi Okada was sent to the stands for protesting that decision and may not have seen Uzbekistan's closest attempt in stoppage time when Islom Tukhtahujaev's long-range shot was deflected and Japan keeper Seigo Narazaki had to scramble to tip it onto the bar and away to safety.

The result put Uzbekistan on the brink of elimination.

Tim Cahill hit the post with one shot and had another stopped by a brilliant save as Australia was held scoreless but maintained its unbeaten record in the fourth round of qualifying. South Africa 2010 will be Australia's third trip to the World Cup.

"It's an unbelievable achievement," defender Lucas Neill said. "To be the second or third team into the World Cup is truly an honour.

"I'm so proud we've created some history for the country and we can sit back now and see who's going to join us."

Australia qualified through the Oceania confederation for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, after winning a playoff against South American side Uruguary on penalties.

The Australians switched to the Asian confederation in 2006.

In Group B, both North Korea and Iran would be unsatisfied with their draw, but South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo was ecstatic.

"This is a fantastic win," Huh said. "Our first objective was to win this match and I am happy we managed to do just that. We now have two home games left, and we are going to try and win both."

With the top two teams from the five-team group to qualify directly for South Africa 2010 and the third-placed team to go into a further playoff, Iran stays in fourth with seven points from six games.

It faces a must-win home game against the already eliminated UAE on Wednesday before facing first-placed South Korea.

Victory for North Korea would have secured at least a playoff spot, but it now must either win its final game away to Saudi Arabia on June 17, or hope other results go its way.

Iran was the better team for the first half. Osasuna midfielder Masoud Shojaei tested goalkeeper Ri Myung Guk after just four minutes, turning and hitting a first time shot from close range that Ri just managed to turn onto the post.

Bochum striker Vahid Hashemian shot narrowly wide five minutes before the break.

North Korea, displaying greater physical reserves than Iran, got on top in the second half.

With the clock running down, Park Nam Chol produced a fierce shot that was arrowing toward the top right corner, forcing a superb diving save by Iran's goalkeeper Seyed Rahmati.

In stoppage time, Hong Yong Jo had the best chance of the game. With Rahmati advancing well out of his area to stifle a counter attack, Hong just had to round the keeper and have a shot at an open net from 30 metres. He instead elected a first-time shot that was well off target.[/b]

BISBANE SPORTS.

Can they win the world cup?

And does that Nakata fellow still play?

^^ No and No