Saudi Arabia is looking forward to tough matches after drawing two former World Cup qualifiers South Korea and Iran in the fourth and final round of qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup on Friday. North Korea and the United Arab Emirates complete their Group B. South Korea must once again negotiate potential political problems as it faces neighbor North Korea in Group B having met it twice in the previous round of qualifiers for the Finals in South Africa. Australia is also looking forward to renewing a keen rivalry with Japan in the qualifiers after being drawn together in Asian Group A. The group also features Bahrain, Uzbekistan and Qatar following the draw ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. The top two in each group automatically make the Finals in South Africa, while the two third-placed teams lock horns in a playoff with the winner battling the Oceania representative for a spot at the global showpiece. Saudi Arabia opens its final round matches against Iran on Sept. 6 before taking on UAE on Sept. 10. The Kingdom will play its remaining qualifiers next year. Former Oceania representative Australia has made it to the final stages of the regional qualifiers in its first campaign as an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member. It plays Japan in its final qualifier at home on June 10, 2009 with Australian federation (FFA) official John Boultbee saying they are looking forward to a fierce contest. “It's a wonderful competition for us. The last game at home to Japan will be a blockbuster,” Boultbee told journalists. Australia opens its fourth-round matches away to Uzbekistan on Sept. 10. In the previous round, South Korea was forced to play the away game against North Korea in Shanghai, China, because of a political standoff in March, while the return match this week was played in Seoul. Both matches finished 0-0 as South Korea topped its group ahead of the North on goal difference. Chun Han-jin, South Korea's head of administration, said the team would be willing to play at any venue decided by their North rivals. “It's not a problem for us,” Chun told Reuters. “Wherever they want us to play, we will be there. But it is their decision, it is not something we can control. “As for us, we will invite them to play in Seoul. We played them in the last round and it was a friendly and courteous atmosphere.” Iranian coach Ali Daei was careful in not promising too much. “I can only say that we have a chance to qualify for the World Cup Finals,” he said. “I think Group B is more difficult than Group A.” The games will be played between Sept. 6 and June 17.
