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Asian WC qualifying round-up

Image: Australia: Celebrated their third win in a row in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign

Australia maintained their 100 per cent record in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign in the Asian zone.

Wins for Australia, Japan, Jordan and South Korea

Australia maintained their 100 per cent record in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign in the Asian zone, while Japan put themselves back on track on Tuesday. The Socceroos consolidated their place at the top of Group D with their third successive win, as they defeated Oman 3-0 in Sydney. Brett Holman gave the hosts the lead after just seven minutes, with Josh Kennedy and Mike Jedinak adding to the tally in the second session. In the other game in Group D, Thailand were held to a goalless draw by Saudi Arabia at the Rajamangala Stadium. Asian powerhouse Japan also picked up maximum points, as they comprehensively defeated Tajikistan 8-0 in Osaka in Group C, thanks to braces from Mike Havenaar, Shinji Okazaki and Shinji Kagawa. The result comes as a welcome respite for Alberto Zaccheroni's side, who defeated North Korea 1-0 at home and drew 1-1 with Uzbekistan away in the last two fixtures. In the same group, Uzbekistan maintained their unbeaten run as they secured a narrow 1-0 victory over North Korea in Pyongyang, courtesy of a first-half goal from Alexander Geynrikh. Jordan remain in firm control of Group A following their 3-0 victory over Singapore at the Jalan Besar Stadium. They are in pole position in the group with nine points from three matches. In the other Group A fixture, Iraq defeated China 1-0 at the Shenzen Stadium despite finishing the match with 10 men, a goal from Younis Mahmoud proving to be enough for Zico's team to garner maximum points and remain second with six points. In Group E matches on Tuesday, 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar crafted an enthralling 3-2 victory over Indonesia in Jakarta to win their first match of the qualifying campaign, and Iran defeated 10-man Bahrain 1-0. South Korea remain at the top of Group B after a narrow 2-1 home win against the United Arab Emirates. In the other match in the same group, Lebanon and Kuwait played out a 2-2 draw at the Sports City Stadium in Beirut.

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