Mile Sterjovski and David Carney scored second-half goals as Australia beat Bahrain 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier yesterday.
Bahrain must now avoid defeat at home in their final match against Uzbekistan next Wednesday if they are to keep third place in the group.
The third-place teams in both Asian qualifying groups will play off, with the winner advancing to a playoff against Oceania champions New Zealand for a spot at the World Cup.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Sterjovski put the Socceroos ahead in the 55th after winger Harry Kewell got behind the defense on the left and passed into the area.
Bahraini defender Fouzi Aaish couldn’t control the ball and Sterjovski swooped with an angled left-foot shot past Jaffer.
Carney sealed the result in the 89th minute when he followed up on a bicycle kick from Jason Culina that hit the post and pushed the rebound into an open goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Meanwhile, Japan dashed Qatar’s hopes of reaching the play-off round as the two drew 1-1 yesterday in Yokohama.
The visitors needed to win to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup via a playoff spot.
The Japanese took a 1-0 lead two minutes into the game when Atsuto Uchida sent a cross into the Qatar area, where Ahmed Ali al-Binali put the ball into his own net.
In the 53rd minute, the visitors equalized when Yahya Afif scored from the spot after Magid Mohamed Hassan was brought down in the area.
In another qualifier yesterday South Korea and Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 in Seoul.
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