JAPAN became the first team to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when they beat Uzbekistan 1-0 in an Asian Group 1 qualifier yesterday.
Shinji Ozaki struck the only goal early in the game to secure Japan's place at their fourth finals. They were also the first team through to the 2006 tournament in Germany.
North Korea spurned their chance of earning an early play-off place for
next year's finals when they were held to a goalless draw with Iran. The draw was also a blow to three-times qualifiers Iran, who needed three points and now face an uphill struggle to reach the tournament.
Playing before an impassioned crowed in Pyongyang, North Korea, second in Asian Group 2 behind rivals South Korea, were simply outclassed in the first half by a determined Iran side.
Vahid Hashemian could have put the visitors ahead four minutes into the match when he shot on the turn and drew a good save from Ri Myong-guk.
After prolonged spells of dangerous Iranian attacks, Hashemian came close again on 40 minutes when his half-volley from eight metres after Ali Karimi's perfect cross went just wide of the post.
Chasing three points to secure at least a playoffs berth with one game to play, North Korea perked up after the break and pressured the Iranians throughout.
The talented Jong Tae-se was a constant menace and had a superb long-range effort turned away by the Iranian keeper on 77 minutes.
Moments later, Iran could have sealed the win when Hosein Kaebi intercepted a poor pass on the edge of the area, skipped around the defence and fired a weak shot wide of the target.
The hosts responded to the roaring crowd in the final minutes and should have sealed the win in stoppage time.
Hong Yong-jo found himself alone in space 35 metres away from goal but blasted the ball hopelessly wide of the target after he was panicked by the advancing keeper.
Jong could also have taken the points in the dying seconds when his close-range header went over the bar.
North Korea, who last reached the World Cup finals in 1966, are in second position on 11 points while Iran remain in fourth place, on seven points.
The top two teams advance to South Africa, while the third-placed side gets a chance to progress via playoffs.
South Africa completed their Confederations Cup preparations with a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over Poland in a friendly at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto yesterday.
Thembinkosi Fanteni scored early for the World Cup hosts with a simple tap-in after Bernard Parker had taken a defence-splitting pass from Steven Pienaar and rounded the keeper.
