World Cup 2022 qualifying: South Korea claim place but Australia face fight
- Published
South Korea have appeared at every World Cup finals since Mexico in 1986
South Korea have qualified for a 10th successive World Cup after securing their place in Qatar with a 2-0 win against Syria.
They are second in Group A in Asia qualifying behind Iran, who have already claimed a spot in the finals.
However Australia drew 2-2 with Oman and sit third in Group B, with only the top two qualifying automatically.
They are four points behind leaders Saudi Arabia and three adrift of Japan but have games against both to come.
Japan beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 in their latest match, with Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino scoring one of their goals.
The two third-placed sides in each group of Asia qualifying will meet to decide who enters an intercontinental play-off against the fifth-placed side in South America.
The top four in the South America qualifying group secure a place at the World Cup and leaders Brazil and Argentina have already made sure of being in the Middle East in November and December.
Brazil beat Paraguay 4-0 to remain four points clear of Argentina, who earned a 1-0 win against seventh-placed Colombia.
Ecuador, in third, were held to a 1-1 draw by fifth-placed Peru, while Uruguay secured a convincing 4-1 win over Venezuela to move fourth.
New Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was among Uruguay's goalscorers, with Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez and Giorgian de Arrascaeta joining him on the scoresheet.
Chile beat Bolivia 3-2 to make up ground on their rivals and improve their hopes of qualification.
Alexis Sanchez scored twice for Chile, who move sixth - three points off the top four.
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