Asia's big three seal World Cup berths

SINGAPORE: Australia, Japan and South Korea were celebrating Sunday after powering into the World Cup finals, reinforcing their credentials as Asia's best football teams.

Japan became the first side anywhere to book their place in South Africa with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in Tashkent, with Shunji Okazaki's strike after nine minutes enough to seal their berth from Group A.

Australia joined them after a bruising goalless draw with Qatar in Doha to remain unbeaten after their six games to sit alongside Japan on 14 points.