Oceania, Asia soccer heats up

Updated September 9, 2008 13:04:32

Ryan Nelsen's All Whites take on New Caledonia on Wednesday but have already advanced to an Asian playoff for a World Cup 2010 berth. [AFP]

New Zealand's national soccer team, the All Whites, play Oceania rivals New Caledonia at North Harbour stadium Wednesday, having already qualified for the Confederations Cup and a World Cup playoff spot.

Radio Australia Sport reports that Ricki Herberts' men prepare for their attempt to go through the Oceania group with a perfect six from six record.

New Zealand's 3-1 win over New Caledonia in Noumea on Saturday sealed their place in the contest to find the last of the 32 qualifiers for World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

The Ryan Nelsen-led side also secured the minimum $US1 million for playing in next year's eight-nation Confederations Cup.

The race is on in Asia to find the All White's opponent for next year's crucial home-and-away playoff.

There are 10 Asian teams chasing the top four automatic qualifying spots.

Saturday's opening-round produced a couple of surprises with North Korea, the lowest-ranked of the 10 teams, at 116, beating the United Arab Emirates (109) 2-1 in Abu Dhabi, in a game in which all three goals were scored in the last 18 minutes.

The North Koreans are now in Shanghai, a neutral venue, preparing for Wednesday's game with the South Koreans, who had the bye on Saturday but used the day off to beat Jordan 1-0 in a friendly in Seoul.

United Arab Emirates return to the Bin Zayed Stadium for Wednesday's clash with neighbours Saudi Arabia.

A second home loss for the Emirates could dash their World Cup dream.

In a game played in stifling heat and humidity in Manama, Japan, the top-ranked Asian contender were 3-0 ahead of Bahrain with five minutes to play in the match.

The home side, helped by an own goal, scored two late goals but could not find a third for a point.

Japan have a bye on Wednesday but Bahrain are in Doha to play Qatar who opened their campaign with a 3-0 surprise win over Uzbekistan.

Qatar, who beat Asian champions Iraq - who will be one of the countries at the Confederations Cup - to win through to the last phase of Asian qualifying, are ranked 22 places below Uzbekistan.

Iran, held 1-1 by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, also have the day off tomorrow but Uzbekistan have returned home and will play Australia in Tashkent.

To warm-up for this keenly-awaited contest, Australia beat the Netherlands 2-1 in a friendly after they had trailed 1-0 until late in the first spell when the Dutch goalkeeper gave away a penalty and was sent off.

After tomorrow's second round, World Cup qualifying will take a break until October 15 when, in one of the four matches, Australia will play Qatar in Brisbane.

In the meantime, the quarter-finals in the Asian Champions League will be played.

In a managed draw to find the Asian representative at December's Fifa World Club Cup in Japan, the three Japanese teams were kept apart for the two-leg quarter-finals to be played on September 17 and 24.

The ties are (home team for the first leg first), Sapia (Iran) v Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan), defending J-League champions Kashima Antlers (Japan) v Adelaide United (Australia), defending Asian club champions Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) and Al Karama (Syria) v Gamba Osaka (Japan).

Last week Bunyodkor signed former Brazilian star Rivaldo, 36, as a fourth overseas player but they will only be permitted to play three of them in any match.

If a Japanese club wins the league they will qualify automatically and Waitakere United, as the OFC winner, will play the highest-placed non-Japanese club in their qualifying match to win through to the competition proper.