New Zealand qualified for the 2010 Men’s World Cup with a 1-0 win over Bahrain in the second leg of the AFC/​OFC playoff final. The first leg in Manama had ended goalless, giving Bahrain a slight advantage as the teams entered Wellington. But Rory FALLON put the All Whites in front with a header from Leo BERTOS’s corner just before halftime. Five minutes after the break, Bahrain’s Abdulla OMAR was pulled down in the area – the resulting penalty by Sayed ADNAN was saved by Mark PASTON. New Zealand held on to win 1-0 on aggregate and reach the Men’s World Cup for the second time in their history, having previously qualified in 1982.

Bahrain advanced to the final of the AFC/​OFC playoff on away goals as they played to a dramatic 2-2 draw in Saudi Arabia on WED 09 SEP 2009. The first leg in Manama ended goalless, and first half goals from either side left the match at 1-1 until second half stoppage time. Hamad AL MONTASHARI headed in a cross from Yasser AL QAHTANI to give Saudi Arabia the apparent victory, but mere moments later, the home side were shocked as Abdullah Baba FATADI’s header found net beyond goalkeeper Waleed ABDULLAH. Bahrain move through to the playoff final against New Zealand.

A quick summary of action around the AFC second group phase on WED 17 JUN 2009. more...

A quick summary of action around the AFC second group phase on WED 10 JUN 2009. more...

A quick summary of action around the AFC second group phase on SAT 28 MAR 2009. more...

A quick summary of action around the AFC second group phase on WED 11 FEB 2009. more...

A quick summary of action around the AFC second group phase on WED 19 NOV 2008. more...

A quick summary of action around the AFC fourth round on WED 10 SEP 2008. more...

A quick summary of action around the AFC fourth round on SAT 06 SEP 2008. more...

The draw for the AFC fourth round of South Africa 2010 qualifiers was completed on FRI 27 JUN 2008, and most pairs from the third round remained united. Only Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan, Group 4 opponents, were separated. Uzbekistan’s opponents in Group A include heavyweights Australia and Japan, whilst Saudi Arabia must face Korea Rep, Korea DPR, and Iran in Group B. Two from each group qualify directly, whilst the third placed teams play off for the right to face the OFC final round winner. more...

The draw for the AFC fourth round of 2010 Men’s World Cup qualifiers will take place on FRI 27 JUN 2008, with two groups of five to be formed. Based on their performances at Germany 2006, Australia, Korea Rep, and Iran are the top three seeds. Japan and Saudi Arabia are tied for fourth; the draw procedure will start with a drawing to put one of those teams in Pot 2 with Iran and the other in Pot 3 with Bahrain. Each group will consist of a Pot 1 team [either Australia or Korea Rep], a Pot 2 team, a Pot 3 team, and two of the remaining teams: Uzbekistan, Korea DPR, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

A quick summary of action around the AFC third round on SUN 22 JUN 2008. more...

A quick summary of action around the AFC third round on SAT 14 JUN 2008. more...

A quick summary of action around the AFC third round on SAT 31 MAY-MON 02 JUN 2008. more...

A quick summary of action around the AFC first round, which took place MON 08-TUE 30 OCT 2007. Series aggregate scores are shown below. more...