Draw for Australia, Ji-sung rescues S. Korea with a late equaliser

TOKYO: Japan and Australia shared the spoils in Asian World Cup qualifying yesterday but there was a crucial win for North Korea, who beat Saudi Arabia to leave Nasser Al Johar’s side in serious trouble.

In Teheran, Manchester United star Park Ji-sung came to South Korea’s rescue with an 81st minute strike to cancel out Javad Nekounam’s goal to give them a battling 1-1 draw with Iran.

The Socceroos will feel fortunate to come away from Yokohama with a 0-0 draw after soaking up long periods of pressure, but it leaves them well positioned in Group 1 with 10 points from four games.

With three of their remaining four games at home, Australian coach Pim Verbeek was happy with the result as his side power towards their second consecutive World Cup Finals.

“The reality is that we did not have any preparation but we saw how professional the players were even with the eight hours’ time difference,” he said.

Frustrating day: Japan’s Shinji Okazaki (right) holding his head in disappointment after the 0-0 draw against Australia in their Asian World Cup qualifying match. — AP

“I think they deserve a big compliment. 0-0 away to Japan is a great result.”

Japan remain hot on their heels with two wins and two draws for eight points, while Mahmood Abdulrahman scored a 94th minute winner for Bahrain in their 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

It leaves the Uzbeks virtually out of the running with just one point, while Bahrain remain alive on four points, alongside Qatar.

Only the top two teams from each group qualify for South Africa while the third-placed teams play each other with the winners facing Oceania champions New Zealand for the final World Cup berth.

Japan coach Takeshi Okada was pleased to see his team play attacking football but disappointed that they couldn’t convert their chances.

“We made chances and played the kind of soccer we have been looking to play but unfortunately we were unable to get the win we were looking for,” he said, adding that it was nevertheless “a precious point”.

In Pyongyang, North Korea’s drive towards their first World Cup Finals since 1966 stayed on track with a vital 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia, leaving their opponents with a massive uphill task to qualify.

Mun In-guk was the North Korean hero, toe-poking the ball under Saudi keeper Waleed Abdullah in the 29th minute to put his side on seven points in Group 2 after four games.

The Saudis, who have made the last four World Cup Finals, are now in big trouble with just four points and four games to play, starting with a tough trip to Teheran next month to face Iran in a must-win match.

Played on an artificial surface in freezing temperatures at the Kim Il-Sung Stadium in Pyongyang, the Saudis had the opening chance when Tassier Al Jassim picked up the ball in the box but failed to produce the killer touch.

The Koreans soon woke up and were dangerous on the break.

Their patience paid off when captain Hong Yon-Jo’s lovely backheel found In-guk, with the midfielder making no mistake to put his team 1-0 in front, a lead they defended admirably.

Group leaders South Korea now have eight points after their 1-1 draw with Iran, who slip to third place on six points behind North Korea. — AFP