Australia Struggles in Asia's World Cup Qualifiers

Australia faced disappointment in Asia's World Cup qualifiers, held to a 0-0 draw by Indonesia. Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia and South Korea secured victories against China and Oman respectively. Qatar drew 2-2 with North Korea, while Uzbekistan topped Group A standings with a win over Kyrgyzstan.

Australia endured another disappointing evening in Asia's World Cup qualifying on Tuesday as Graham Arnold's side were held to a 0-0 draw by hosts Indonesia while Saudi Arabia claimed a late 2-1 win over China and South Korea sealed a 3-1 win over Oman. Hassan Kadish's 90th-minute header earned victory for the 10-man Saudis, who moved onto four points from their opening two games in Group C of the third phase of qualifying.

There was frustration for Qatar, who drew 2-2 with North Korea in Vientiane in Group A, while Son Heung-min was on target in South Korea's victory in Oman in Group B. The Australians faced Indonesia in Jakarta hoping to bounce back from a 1-0 loss against Bahrain and went close to scoring when Nestory Irankunda hit the post with a low drive in the 33rd minute.

But Arnold's side were unable to find a way past Maarten Paes as the dogged Indonesians followed up their draw with Saudi Arabia on Thursday with another point. The Saudis, meanwhile, fought back from going behind to an own goal from Ali Lajami in the 14th minute to pick up maximum points against China.

Roberto Mancini's side were reduced to 10 men when Mohammed Kanno was dismissed for kicking out at Jiang Shenglong but Kadish headed in Nasser Al-Dawsari's corner to level shortly before halftime. Kadish then decided the game with a powerful 90th-minute header after Salem Al-Dawsari had earlier hit the crossbar.

Uzbekistan moved to the top of the Group A standings after a 72nd-minute goal from Oston Urunov sealed a 3-2 win over Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek as Srecko Katanec's side picked up their second win in a row. North Korea frustrated Asian champions Qatar in the pouring rain in Vientiane when Kang Kuk Chol cracked in a 50th-minute free kick to earn his side 2-2 draw despite playing much of the game with 10 men following Jang Kuk Chol's red card.

The remaining fixture in Group A on Tuesday sees the United Arab Emirates take on visitors Iran in Al Ain. In Group B, Son scored South Korea's crucial second in Muscat against Oman to give his side their first win of the third round after Hwang Hee-chan had seen his opener cancelled out by Jung Seung-hyun's own goal.

Son netted with eight minutes remaining and Joo Min-kyu put the result beyond doubt deep in injury time to lift the pressure on head coach Hong Myung-bo after an opening 0-0 draw with Palestine. The Palestinians were unable to keep Jordan at bay in Kuala Lumpur, slipping to a 3-1 loss with Yazan Al-Naimat scoring twice.

Iraq travel to Kuwait to face in Group B later on Tuesday. Bahrain will host Japan on Tuesday in a meeting of the only two teams with perfect records in Group C after the first round, with Dragan Talajic's side aiming to deny a Samurai Blue side that scored seven times against China last week.

(With inputs from agencies.)