Socceroos to play Japan in WC qualifying

AAP - The Socceroos will take on Japan, Bahrain, Uzbekistan and Qatar in their World Cup qualifying group after the draw for the final stage of Asian qualifying was conducted in Malaysia.

Australia were drawn in Group A alongside the Japanese, whom they beat in the 2006
World Cup finals.

Dark horses Uzbekistan will be Australia's opening match opponents away on September
10, while the Aussies will also face off once more against Qatar, whom they beat
comfortably in the previous World Cup qualifying stage.

In Group B, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and the United Arab
Emirates will do battle.

The top two teams in each group qualify automatically as Asia's representatives for
the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
The two third-placed teams play off over two legs, with the winner to play the
Oceania champion for a spot in South Africa.

The first match day is on September 6, but the top-seeded Socceroos will get a bye
before starting their campaign four days later - most likely in Tashkent against the
Uzbeks.

The Socceroos will finish their campaign with what shapes as a home blockbuster
against Japan, most likely on June 17 next year.
While Australia beat Japan at the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany 3-1, the Japanese
gained revenge at last year's Asian Cup with a win on penalties in the
quarter-finals.

Both teams are building a huge rivalry, and are the No.1 and 2 ranked teams in Asia.
Uzbekistan scored 15 goals in the previous qualifying stage and loom as a huge
stumbling block to a top two finish.

But the Socceroos will be happy they have dodged Iran - their 1997 nemesis in World
Cup qualifying - and the difficult Saudi Arabia in their group.
Australia will have the luxury of playing three of their final four group matches at
home, with Football Federation Australia yet to decide where the home games will be played.