Iraq won a reprieve yesterday that allows them to play their Asian World Cup qualifier against Australia, as a handful of teams fight to stay in the race to South Africa in 2010.
The match had been under threat when FIFA suspended Iraq on Monday after Baghdad dissolved the Iraqi Olympic Committee and all national sport federations.
But a FIFA spokesman said it had since received correspondence from the Iraqi government saying that the Iraq Football Federation was not part of the decree, opening the door for its crucial game on Sunday in Brisbane.
If the game had not gone ahead it would have been curtains for Iraq, with Pim Verbeek’s men already topping Group 1 on four points from two matches.
Qatar are on three points, with China struggling on two and Iraq on one.
Qatar host China on Monday and another loss for the Chinese team could hammer the final nail into their World Cup coffin.
China are perennial underachievers and have so far managed to only draw with Iraq and Australia, making the game in Doha a must-win ahead of the return leg against Qatar in Tianjin on June 7.
After their shock 1-0 loss to Bahrain in March, Asian powerhouse Japan are desperate to make the most of home advantage against Oman on Monday, with coach Takeshi Okada relying on Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura to carry them through.
“I have realized anew his presence, the accuracy of his play and the fact that he is a player with very high ability to read how the game develops,” Okada said of Nakamura.
Surprise table-toppers Bahrain are in Bangkok against a Thai team that has yet to take a point and who can almost certainly wave goodbye to any faint hopes they have of a trip to Africa if they lose.
Group 3 sees South Korea host Jordan in Seoul tomorrow, with Manchester United’s Park Ji-sung keen to showcase his skills after being snubbed by Alex Ferguson in Manchester United’s Champions League final victory over Chelsea.
South Korea currently have four points and are level with North Korea, who travel to basement team Turkmenistan on Monday.
With Uzbekistan securing two wins out of two so far, Saudi Arabia will need to beat minnows Lebanon, who have lost both their matches, at home to keep the pressure on in Group 4.
Uzbekistan play Singapore in the city-state and another victory would put them on the brink of becoming one of the 10 teams that progress to the final round of qualifying later this year.
In Group 5, pacesetters United Arab Emirates have a tough task in Tehran against Iran, while Syria are at home to Kuwait.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely