Asian giants Japan and South Korea cantered to home wins while Australia fired blanks in a dour draw on Wednesday in the final round of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.
Later, Saudi Arabia and Qatar drew 1-1 in Riyadh, Uzbekistan beat Iraq 2-0 in Tashkent and Syria defeated Bahrain 3-1 in a qualifier played in Jordan.
In front of an expectant home crowd in Tosu, Japan beat Malaysia 2-0, with a goal in either half breaking the visitors’ doughty defense.
Dominating the game throughout, Takashi Sekizuka’s side opened the scoring in the 10th minute after midfielder Keigo Higashi latched onto a defense-splitting pass to slot the ball beyond the Malaysian goalkeeper.
The home side frayed their supporters’ nerves spurning several good chances and finding Malaysian keeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat in top form.
However, a 77th minute strike from substitute Ryohei Yamazaki secured the three points.
South Korea also scored two without reply to beat Oman in Changwon, courtesy of a glorious 23rd minute free-kick from Yoon Bitgaram and a nicely taken second in the 74th minute by Cerezo Osaka midfielder Kim Bo-kyung.
Yoon, who won the foul just outside the box, got up to take the free kick and angled the ball into the top right of the net.
He turned provider in the second-half, feeding Kim to seal the win.
South Korea are paired with Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in Group A.
Their next game is against Qatar on Nov. 23.
Where Japan and South Korea won comfortably, Australia struggled in a turgid encounter with the United Arab Emirates in Adelaide which ended 0-0.
Going into the match as favorites to win their group, the Australians were outplayed by the visitors for most of their Group B encounter.
UAE striker Ahmed Khalil menaced the Aussie goal throughout the first half, blasting just wide from 25 yards out after the half hour with goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne beaten.
Australia had two golden chances to turn the tide in the second half, both courtesy of Brisbane Roar midfielder Mitch Nichols.
Australia, who routed Yemen 7-0 over two legs to reach the group stages, will be determined to raise their game against other Group B opponents Iraq and Uzbekistan.
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