A quick summary of action around the AFC second group phase on SAT 28 MAR 2009.
» Japan 01-00 Bahrain: Early in the second half, Shunsuke NAKAMURA’s free kick took a deflection off Abdullah MARZOOQ and skipped into the net. The result held, and Japan are now Group A leaders, three points away from sealing a trip to South Africa.
» Uzbekistan 04-00 Qatar: Farhod TADJIEV scored three goals, all on headers, as the Uzbeks got their first win of the round and climbed back into the race for Group A’s playoff ticket.
» Iran 01-02 Saudi Arabia: In the last twelve minutes, goals from Naif HAZZAZI and Osama AL MUWALLAD overturned Iran’s advantage and put the Saudis into third place in Group B. Iran coach Ali DAEI was sacked following the match.