Football: Uzbeks seek World Cup history against S. Korea

Uzbekistan have a chance to become the first Central Asian team to reach the World Cup when they take on South Korea on Tuesday, while Australia are up against it as Asian qualifying heads for a tight finish.

Three-time Asian champions Iran also have work to do to make progress to next year’s tournament in Brazil, with three automatic spots and two play-off positions still up for grabs in the last two rounds of games.

Uzbekistan, a former Soviet Republic, placed fourth at the 2011 Asian Cup and have reached the final round of World Cup qualifying five times. They are now tantalisingly close to appearing on football’s biggest stage.

If bottom side Lebanon can manage a shock win over third-placed Iran, either Uzbekistan or South Korea will go through with victory in Seoul, joining Japan who secured top spot in Group B and their ticket to Brazil last week.

Uzbekistan also round off qualifying next week at home to Qatar, raising their chances of progressing at the expense of three-time World Cup contestants Iran, whose final game is a tough trip to South Korea.

South Korea and Uzbekistan are level on 11 points, with Iran just one behind in a Group A which threatens to be decided by goal difference or head-to-head records. The top two teams qualify and the third goes into a play-off.

Uzbekistan warmed up for South Korea with a 2-1 friendly victory over China last week, with two-time Asian player of the year Server Djeparov netting the winner.

But South Korean coach Choi Kang-Hee, who will pick from a fully fit squad as he targets a ninth World Cup appearance for the team — by far the best record in Asia — appeared confident.

“I think Uzbekistan are a very beatable team. I don’t think they’re that strong an opponent. But they have plenty of experience against us and we have to be prepared for what they may have up in their sleeve,” said Choi.

Meanwhile in Group B, tension is soaring for Australia who are third, two points behind Oman and level with Jordan, their opponents in Melbourne on Tuesday. The Socceroos’ final game is against Iraq in Sydney next week.

One win from six games has put Australia in danger of missing Brazil, seven years after they switched from Oceania to the Asian Football Confederation — partly motivated by the greater number of World Cup spots on offer.

“In football, you should never look back — the only thing you get is a sore neck,” said their German coach Holger Osieck.

“I look ahead. Jordan is a different game. Everyone in our squad is ready to play, so it’s a good situation but a tough one for me as well to make the decisions.”

Much of Australia’s hopes will rest on New York Red Bulls striker Tim Cahill. He played in a lone striking role in last week’s 1-1 draw with Japan, but is expected to have more support at home against Jordan.

Jordan coach Adnan Hamad said his detention by authorities at Melbourne Airport for several hours before being allowed into the country was forgotten. Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr has apologised for the incident.

Japan, who last week became the world’s first team to qualify and join hosts Brazil, travel to Doha to play Iraq, who remain in the running for a fairytale World Cup spot.

Ten years after the US-led invasion, Iraq, who play their ‘home’ games abroad due to continuing security problems, can still reach the World Cup with two points to make up on Jordan and Australia, their final opponents next week.

While the top two teams in each group go through automatically, the two third-placed teams will play each other — with the winner contesting an intercontinental play-off for a World Cup berth.