While it was Iran who celebrated wholeheartedly when the final whistle was blown at the Azadi Stadium, Uzbekistan would have left Tehran in a jubilant mood.

Timur Kapadze's side were minutes away from a sensational win but Mehdi Taremi struck for the second time to force a 2-2 draw but avoiding defeat against the United Arab Emirates on Matchday Nine will seal Uzbekistan an inaugural appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

Perennial FIFA World Cup qualifiers Korea Republic were reckoned to have the easiest passage to next year's global showpiece when the draw was made but three consecutive stalemates mean they still have work to do to secure an 11th straight appearance at the Finals.

While Hong Myung-bo will be confident his players will do, they face a tough away test against Iraq on Matchday 9. Victory will confirm their ticket but the question is will Korea Republic be able to rediscover their form?

With qualification confirmed with three matches to spare, Hajime Moriyasu has set Japan the target of advancing past the Round of 16 for the first time.

Wataru Endo has aimed even higher - saying Japan can win the FIFA World Cup - and with a squad brimming with players plying their trade across the globe, the Samurai Blue certainly have the quality to create history.

Australia ended Matchday 8 three points ahead of Saudi Arabia in the race for the remaining automatic ticket from Group C, setting up a crucial final two rounds of games for both.

Australia will host Japan on June 5, with Saudi Arabia to play Bahrain away on the same day and victories for both will mean a do-or-die showdown between them on final matchday five days later.

The race to advance to the playoffs will go down to the wire with only DPR Korea out of the running after eight rounds of matches.

Kyrgyz Republic revived their hopes with a sensational win against Qatar, as did Palestine in their victory over Iraq.

The third and fourth-placed finishers will go through to the playoffs for the additional two spots available to Asian sides at next year's expanded FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.