The Asian Confederation has finalized its automatic places for South Africa 2010 and it took some fantastic last match drama to fill the last automatic spot. The drama centered around the match between Saudi Arabia and Korea DPR. The winner would advance and the loser was in jeopardy of missing out on the playoff with 3rd place of Group 1.

The game in the Saudi capital of Riyadh was controlled by the home side. Saudi forward Naif Hazazi constantly threatened the North Korean defense but keeper Ri Myong-Guk was great in between the sticks including a great save on a spectacular chilena attempt from Hazazi in the 29th minute. The Korea DPR keeper was the unquestioned Man Of The Match making some massive saves to keep The Green Falcons scoreless. For a 0-0 score it was a thrilling match, check out the highlights. The draw was enough for Korea DPR to finish 2nd in Group 2 and advance to its first World Cup since 1966.

The 0-0 draw in Riyadh was the result Iran needed to leapfrog into South Africa 2010. Team Melli looked primed to make plans for The Great Tournament when they led Korea Republic 1-0 on the strength of Osasuna midfielder Masoud Shojaei's goal in the 51st minute in Seoul. However, Manchester United midfielder Park Ji Sung scored 9 minutes from the final whistle to end Iran's hopes of qualifying for a 3rd World Cup in the last 4 tournaments.

Here are the results and final standings from Asia:

GROUP 1 FINAL STANDINGS

Bahrain 1 -0 Uzbekistan
BAH: Mahmood Abdul-Rahman (74')

Australia 2 - 1 Japan
AUS: Tim Cahill (59', 77')
JAP: Marcos Tulio Tanaka (40')

GROUP 2 FINAL STANDINGS

Saudi Arabia 0 - 0 Korea DPR

Korea Republic 1 - 1 Iran
KOR: Park Ji Sung (81')
IRN: Masoud Shojaei (51')

Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Korea DPR qualify for South Africa 2010
AFC playoff = Saudi Arabia vs Bahrain
The playoff winner of New Zealand v AFC playoff winner will go to South Africa 2010

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This edition of the World Cup Buzz Top 5 will breakdown the Top 5 Things Observed From The June World Cup Qualifying Matches. Let's begin with CONCACAF's best team.

COSTA RICA IS THE BEST IN CONCACAF

Los Ticos have established themselves as the best team in CONCACAF after their impressive displays against the United States and Trinidad & Tobago. Costa Rica has lost only once in this cycle of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. In 13 WCQ matches, Los Ticos have lost once a 2-0 loss to Mexico at Estadio Azteca and drawn once a 2-2 result on the road in Grenada in a 2nd round 1st leg match. Rodrigo Kenton has done a masterful job steering Costa Rica to a highly likely spot in South Africa 2010. Los Ticos are a perfect 7-0-0 at the Estadio Saprissa in San Jose. Saprissa is now the most intimidating home field advantage in CONCACAF.

GABON IS FOR REAL

The West African nation through which the Equator runs through has become the big story in African World Cup Qualifying. The Azingo Nationale is coached by former French international Alain Giresse whose experience as part of "The Magic Square" of France's national teams in the 80s has been essential in Gabon's run to the top of Group A. In 8 matches of African WC Qualifying, Gabon has only lost twice and are currently riding a 5 game winning streak. Gabon have been riding the talents of all-time goal scorer Hull City striker Daniel Cousin, leading scorer in qualifying Ankaraspor striker Roguy Méyé and the Aubameyang brothers: Catilina, Pierre-Emerick, and Willy. All 3 were products of AC Milan's scouting system with Pierre-Emerick & Willy still property of Il Rossoneri.

CONMEBOL'S PLAYOFF SPOT DUEL
VS.
After these past two rounds of CONMEBOL WC qualifying, it looks like the last playoff spot will come down to Ecuador versus Uruguay. Ecuador earned the max of 6 points over the past two rounds and it vaulted them into 5th place. Uruguay only got 1 point over the last two matches and fell 2 points behind Ecuador to 6th place. Colombia and Venezuela are tied for 7th place, 1 point behind Uruguay but Colombia does not score enough goals and Venezuela gives up too many goals to hold up. Ecuador seems to be regaining the form that has seen them qualify for the previous two World Cups and Uruguay has an explosive offense that can score goals quickly and in bunches. Ecuador hosts Uruguay in the next to last round of qualifying in a match that could determine who will face the CONCACAF 4th place team in a playoff.

SHOWDOWN IN ASIA
VS.
3 of the 4 automatic spots for South Africa 2010 from Asia have already been finalized. Only 1 spot remains and thankfully the schedule makers have set up massive drama on the final day of matches. In Group 2, 3rd place Saudi Arabia hosts 2nd place Korea DPR with the winner of the match going to South Africa. Korea DPR aka North Korea is looking to qualify for the 1st time since 1966 while Saudi Arabia goes for its 5th straight appearance. The loser could even lose out on the playoff spot if Iran defeats already qualified South Korea in their final WC Qualifying match. WHEW! Asia offering up some MASSIVE drama.

TRADITIONAL POWERS IN TROUBLE

3 traditional powers of their continents have their fans and citizens praying for some intervention to secure a place in South Africa 2010. Mexico sits in 4th place in CONCACAF and their form has been spotty at best. El Tri is not the lock to qualify from CONCACAF like the footballing world is used to. The Mexicans will have to show a lot more heart than in previous qualifying runs in order to get to The Great Tournament.

Maradona's appointment as Argentina's head coach was supposed to minimize the stress in qualifying from CONMEBOL but his tactical shortcomings are being exposed. Los Albicelestes haven't been able to string wins together and have been embarrassed on the road allowing 10 goals in their last 4 road matches notching only 1 point in that stretch. They sit in the last automatic spot just 2 points ahead 5th place Ecuador.

Portugal's troubles in Group 1 of European qualifying were eased a bit when they barely scraped by Albania 2-1 on the road. Bruno Alves' 2nd half injury time goal kept Portugal breathing but the fact that they had to get a late goal to beat Albania shows that Portugal is overrated. They sit in 3rd place a full 4 points behind 2nd place Hungary with each having 4 matches remaining. Of the 3 mentioned continental powers, Portugal is in the greatest jeopardy of missing South Africa 2010.

Alright there it is the World Cup Buzz Top 5 for the June World Cup qualifiers. Post a comment and let us know what you think.

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This weekend's round of Asian World Cup Qualifiers witnessed the filling of 3 of its 4 automatic spots. In Group 1, Australia secured its spot in South Africa with a 0-0 draw against Qatar. 2010 will mark the 3rd time that the Socceroos will appear in The Great Tournament.

Japan also locked up the other automatic spot from Group 1 after their 1-0 road win against Uzbekistan. Shimizu S-Pulse's forward Shinji Okazaki's early goal in the 9th minute locked up the 3 points and Japan's 4th World Cup appearance.

The other team that secured their reservations to South Africa came from Group 2 and will take the plane from Seoul. South Korea, The Tigers of Asia beat the United Arab Emirates 2-0 on the road to secure its 8th trip to The Great Tournament. Their northern neighbors, North Korea could have secured their place in South Africa but a scoreless draw at home versus Iran delayed qualification.

The last automatic spot for Asia will come down to the Saudi Arabia-North Korea match in Riyadh on June 17th.

Here are the results & standings of the June 6th qualifiers:

SATURDAY, JUNE 6th

Group 1
Qatar 0 - 0 Australia

Uzbekistan 0 - 1 Japan
JAP: Shinji Okazaki (9')

GROUP 1 STANDINGS

Group 2
Korea DPR (N. Korea) 0 - 0 Iran

UAE 0 - 2 Korea Republic (S. Korea)
KOR: Park Chu Young (5') & Ki Sung Yueng (37')

GROUP 2 STANDINGS

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We head back to the club schedule this weekend, specifically in Europe.  However the performances of national teams cannot be ignored.  So much drama and so we're here to pick a Team Of The Week.  The TOW played matches and/or made headlines during the calendar week of March 26 - April 2. The winner is: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National Football Team

Saudi Arabia is the home nation of two of the most sacred cities in Islam: Mecca & Medina.  It is also the home of The Green Falcons who flew fiercely and bravely to the World Cup Buzz World Football Team Of The Week.  The Saudis entered these rounds of Asian qualifying matches knowing that they needed maximum points to keep their hopes alive of going to South Africa.  The Saudis responded the way a hungry and desperate teams are supposed to, with victories.

On Saturday, they traveled to Tehran for a crucial match vs Iran.  The Azadi Stadium was packed and loud but the Saudis were not intimidated and despite going down 1-0 were never out of the game. The Saudis managed to claw their way to 3 points with 2 goals in the last 11 minutes.  Naif Hazazi broke through in the 79th minute then defender Osama Al Harbi headed in the stadium silencing game winner in the 87th minute.  The result got Iran coach Ali Daei fired and re-vitalized Saudi Arabia's chances to go to South Africa.

Then on Wednesday, The Green Falcons were down 2-1 at home to the United Arab Emirates deep into the 2nd half. The Saudis were gifted an own goal from UAE's Fares Juma to level the score then Hazazi struck in the 85th minute to secure another dramatic 3 points and put Saudi Arabia level on points with North Korea for 2nd place in Group 2.

For displaying massive heart for a victorous week of qualifiers, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National Football Team is the World Cup Buzz World Football Team Of The Week.

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This weekend's matches in Asia provided further proof that there is some high quality, dramatic football being played in Asia.  The race for 3rd place in Group 1 just got more interesting as Uzbekistan moved into a 3-way tie with Qatar and Bahrain.  Uzbekistan rose above the Qatar defense for a crushing 4-0 home win.  Uzbeks were led by Farhod Tadjiev's hat trick.  The forward notched a hat trick using his head to score his 3 goals and put Borat's most hated rival in 3rd place in Group 1 ahead of Bahrain & Qatar on goal differential.

The big, news making result from Asia this weekend came from Tehran where Iran gave up 2 goals in the last 12 minutes of the match to lose to Saudi Arabia 2-1 at Azadi Stadium.  Iran took the lead when Osasuna's Masoud Shojaei's well placed shot beat Saudi keeper Walleed Ali in the 57th minute to give Team Melli the 1-0 lead.

As the Iranians seemed content to sit on the lead the Saudis attacked and in the 78th minute Al-Hilal midfielder Naif Hazazi slotted a well placed through ball past Iran keeper Seyed Rahmati for the equalizer. Then in the 86th minute off a corner kick defender Osama Al-Harbi beat his marker and headed in the game winner into the far post side net.  The Green Falcons stunning victory puts them in 3rd place in Group 2 with 7 points.

As for Iran, they still have a chance but the loss made their path to South Africa a lot more difficult.  Team Melli is in 4th place with 6 points having only 1 win in their 5 final stage qualifying matches.  To make matters worse, depending on your perspective, the Iranian Football Federation fired Ali Daei as their coach.  The legendary player has struggled as head coach of Iran. Some questionable player choices and the loss to Saudi Arabia made Daei a victim of the ax.

Check out the highlights from the Iran-Saudi Arabia match:

Iran vs. Saudi Arabia Highlights

Here are the results & standings from this weekend's Asian World Cup qualifiers:

Group 1
Uzbekistan 4 - 0 Qatar
UZB: Farhod Tadjiyev (34', 45'+3, 53') & Anvarjon Soliev (61')

Japan 1 - 0 Bahrain
JAP: Shunsuke Nakamura (47')

GROUP 1 STANDINGS

Group 2
Korea DPR (N. Korea) 2 - 0 United Arab Emirates
DPR: Pak Nam Chol (51') & Mun In Guk (90'+3)

Iran 1 - 2 Saudi Arabia
IRN: Masoud Shojaei (57')
KSA: Naif Hazazi (78') & Osama Al Harbi (86')

GROUP 2 STANDINGS

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Asian World Cup Qualifying for 2010 will be halfway over after this round of matches and we will be closer to knowing who will be in for sure and who will be vying for the playoff between the two 3rd place teams in each group.

In Group 1, Japan and Australia could solidify their places in the The Great Tournament if they can beat Bahrain & Uzbekistan, respectively.  The drama in Group 1 will be who will finish 3rd and get into the playoff with 3rd place of Group 2.

The fight for the top two places in Group 2 is more dramatic.  Right now, South Korea leads the group with 8 points, North Korea has 7, Iran has 6, and Saudi Arabia has 4. Two titanic matches figure to shake up the group and clarify some things.

First, its Iran vs. Saudi Arabia. This matchup of heavyweights in the region has massive implications especially to the Saudis.   If the Saudis lose in Tehran to Team Melli then the Green Falcons will have to start thinking about 2014 qualification. Tehran's Azadi Stadium is a nightmare for opposition and one of the most intimidating stadiums in the world.  The Saudis will have pull out a great performance to take the 3 points and keep their hopes for South Africa alive.

4 days later, its North vs South as the Korean nations battle for 1st place.  The winner of this match will get bragging rights and have one foot in South Africa while the loser will put themselves in the middle of a fight with the Iran-Saudi Arabia winner for an automatic qualifying spot.

The AFC will have some high drama during this round of qualifying as we are just over a year away from the 1st African World Cup. Below are the fixtures for the upcoming qualifiers,  the home teams are listed first:

Saturday, March 28

Korea DPR (N. Korea) vs. United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan vs. Qatar
Iran vs. Saudi Arabia
Japan vs. Bahrain

Wednesday, April 1

Bahrain vs. Qatar
Australia vs. Uzbekistan
Korea Republic (S. Korea) vs. Korea DPR (N. Korea)
Saudi Arabia vs. United Arab Emirates

Here are the group standings heading into this round of qualifying:

Group 1

Group 2

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After a much deserved break, World Cup qualifying continues this month. Teams from Asia, UEFA, and CONCACAF will be competing to take a step closer to playing in the 2010 World Cup. Here are the fixtures for the upcoming week [Home Teams Listed First]:

Iran vs. Korea Republic (S. Korea)
Korea DPR (N. Korea) vs. Saudi Arabia
Uzbekistan vs. Bahrain
Japan vs. Australia

Malta vs. Albania
Ireland vs. Georgia
San Marino vs. Northern Ireland

El Salvador vs. Trinidad & Tobago
USA vs. Mexico
Costa Rica vs. Honduras

The matches will be played on February 11th. Keep looking to World Cup Buzz for news, results, and standings on World Cup qualifiers.

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This weekend, qualifying for The Great Tournament resumes with matches all over the planet. Injuries and intrigue surround various matches with some outcomes determining whose dream of playing in South Africa in 2010 will become a closer reality or a nightmare in the failure to advance.  Therefore let's breakdown some of the key matches of the Asian & African qualifying zones. 

AFRICA
Gabon vs Libya
The matchup between Gabon and Libya features the top two teams in Group 5 of Round 2 of African qualifying. The significance of the result of this game is that a draw could see Ghana out which would be a shocker. Libya leads the group with 12 points followed by Gabon & Ghana with 9. Ghana should have no problem handling last place Lesotho at home but if they draw and Gabon draws, Ghana is out on goal differential. The Black Stars will be without their star Michael Essien. Gabon is coached by former French international Alain Giresse and will have the advantage of playing in the capital city of Libreville where they are impenetrable allowing 0 goals.

Senegal vs. Gambia
This matchup in Group 6 features another continental favorite on the verge of elimination. Senegal is in 3rd place with 8 points trailing Gambia on goal differential with both teams 1 point back of group leader Algeria. Gambia has only beaten Senegal once in their history back in 1962 in the Senegalese capital of Dakar. The Scorpions are looking to draw upon that experience to give them the 3 points needed to advance to the next round. The Teranga Lions will once again be without 2 of its European stars, Marseille striker Mamadou Niang & Bordeaux defender Souleymane Diawara for the home game in Dakar. This game is being hailed as the most important match in Gambia football history.

ASIA
Iran vs. Korea DPR (N.Korea)
This match features the two countries most hated by the U.S. government, right now. According to Bush this would be the "Evil Empire Cup." I hate politics and 99% of politicians are corrupt so let's talk about the match. This match may be more important to Iran than N. Korea. The Iranians drew with Saudi Arabia in their last match and will need a victory to keep pace with the North Koreans and Saudi Arabians who lead Group 2.  Its still early but now is the time to get points especially as the domestic leagues get deeper into their seasons. Iran is anchored by the Osasuna midfield duo of Jevad Nekounam & Masoud Shojaei whose presence should help Team Melli overcome the absence of talisman Ali Karimi whose is still beefing with the Iranian federation. The North Koreans will rely on leading scorers Hong Yong-Jo & Jong Chol-Min to put pressure on the Iranian defense in Tehran.

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