China's 2014 World Cup hopes teeter on the brink as it prepares to face Iraq Friday, while other Asian football powers can breeze into the last qualifying round with room to spare. Jose Antonio Camacho's men are struggling after one win in three games has left them third in Group A and three points behind second-placed Iraq, with only the top two teams qualifying for the next stage. Camacho arrived in August with a remit to take China to only its second World Cup, after a winless showing in 2002. Australia looks set to maintain its 100 percent record in Group D when it takes on Oman. Japan has been training in Doha, scene of its Asian Cup triumph in January, before its trip to Dushanbe, where it will have few worries after hammering Tajikistan 8-0 last time around. Another win against the Tajiks would put the Blue Samurai through, unless North Korea can maintain its faint hopes of reaching consecutive World Cups by claiming at least a point in Uzbekistan. South Korea, semifinalist in 2002, look set to keep its stranglehold on Group B when it plays United Arab Emirates, while Iran will hope for a re-run of last month's 6-0 stroll against Bahrain as it heads to Manama. Jordan is on maximum points in Group A and could be qualified after its home game against Singapore, as long as China fail to beat Iraq. An away win against Saudi Arabia would prime surprise package Thailand to go through along with Australia in Group D, while Qatar can cement Group E's second spot when it host Indonesia.
