But it was tears for underachieving China who crashed out after losing 2-1 at home to Iraq.

Australia made sure of their place with a 3-1 win over Qatar to top Group One leaving the Gulf side and Iraq, who clash in Dubai next week, to battle for the second qualifying spot.

One other slot remains undecided among the 10 teams who progress to the next round, with United Arab Emirates needing a draw against Syria in their final game in Group Five to go through.

Japan beat Thailand 3-0 and their progress was assured when Group Two rivals Bahrain drew 1-1 with Oman to also make the final stage.

North Korea defeated Jordan 2-0 while South Korea eased past Turkmenistan 3-1 as the two neighbours went through from Group Three.

Saudi Arabia beat Singapore 2-0 to join Uzbekistan in qualifying from Group Four while Iran ensured top spot in Group 5 with a 2-0 win in Syria.

But it was curtains for China who will finish bottom of Group One with coach Vladimir Petrovic’s job hanging by a thread.

China took the lead in Tianjin through Zhou Haibing in the 32nd minute but Emad Mohammed equalised seven minutes later and Nashat Akram sealed China’s fate in the 65th minute.

In Doha, Australia scored twice through Blackburn’s Brett Emerton before a 75th minute strike by former Liverpool star Harry Kewell earned them a well-deserved victory.

"I am extremely happy with the way we played," said Pim Verbeek, Australia’s Dutch coach.

"We played with great control, especially in the second half. It was a very comprehensive win for us. I think the second goal really set us free. For us, the most important thing is that we have three points from this match."

Hong Yong-Jo scored twice as North Korea beat Jordan 2-0 in Pyongyang to seal not just their place among the final 10 teams but also South Korea’s.

The South Koreans, semi-finalists in 2002, celebrated their progress with a 3-1 win over Turkmenistan with Kim Do-Heon hitting a hat-trick.

Saudi Arabia, in their first match under new coach Nasser Al Johar, who replaced the sacked Helio dos Anjos, took the points they needed in a 2-0 win in Singapore.

Abdoh Autef and Ahmed Al Fraidi grabbed the goals.

"I’m happy with the way we performed considering that I only just took over the team. Given time, this team will do even better," said Al Johar.

Uzbekistan, who qualified last week, beat Lebanon 3-0 to maintain their perfect record of five wins.

Japan enjoyed a resounding 3-0 defeat of Thailand in Bangkok. The visitors struck first in the 22nd minute when Marcus Tanaka nodded home a corner kick from Yasuhito Endo.

Japan doubled their lead in the 38th minute through captain Yuji Nakazawa and Kengo Nakamura wrapped it up two minutes from time.

"Our players did well in the heat of Bangkok and particularly the two defensive midfielders impressed with good movement throughout the game, even though Daisuke Matsui pulled a muscle," said Japan coach Takeshi Okada.

"That’s something we have been missing, and the team needed."

Two second-half goals saw Iran book their place in the final round with a 2-0 victory over Syria in Damascus.

Gholamreza Rezaei gave the visitors the lead just after the hour mark before Mohsen Khalili sealed the points in the fifth minute of injury time.

Saif Mohamed scored a stoppage-time winner as the United Arab Emirates edged Kuwait 3-2 in Kuwait City.

Asia has four automatic berths in the finals in South Africa in 2010 while the fifth-placed side play off against a team from Oceania.