The United Arab Emirates upset Japan 2-1 to pick up a valuable three points away and Australia scored twice in six minutes to hold off Iraq 2-0 to kick off the final round of Asian qualifying for the World Cup.
Ahmed Khalil scored twice in Saitama to help the UAE team overcome an early 1-0 deficit against Japan in Group B.
South Korea got away to a big lead and held on to beat China 3-2 in Group A in Seoul, then Uzbekistan beat Syria 1-0 in Tashkent, and Iran defeated Qatar 2-0 at Tehran.
Saudi Arabia edged Thailand 1-0 in Group B, leaving UAE as the only team with an away win in the opening matches of the round.
The top two teams in each group automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and the third-place teams go into a playoff for an intercontinental qualifier for the last spot in Russia.
Ahmed Khalil scored twice in Saitama to help the UAE team overcome an early 1-0 deficit against Japan in Group B.
South Korea got away to a big lead and held on to beat China 3-2 in Group A in Seoul, then Uzbekistan beat Syria 1-0 in Tashkent, and Iran defeated Qatar 2-0 at Tehran.
Saudi Arabia edged Thailand 1-0 in Group B, leaving UAE as the only team with an away win in the opening matches of the round.
The top two teams in each group automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and the third-place teams go into a playoff for an intercontinental qualifier for the last spot in Russia.
