Saudi Arabia again has home advantage against Gulf rival United Arab Emirates in its crucial World Cup qualifier Tuesday. Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk will be looking to press home the Saudis' advantage after last week's draw with Australia, while Iran has yet to concede a goal so far as it faces Uli Stielike's South Korea, seeking its 10th World Cup appearance. Australia and Saudi Arabia lead Group B with seven points. Japan and the UAE are one point behind in the race for the two automatic World Cup qualifying spots. The Tim Cahill factor threatens Japan's hopes of re-energizing its campaign in Melbourne. Talismanic Cahill is in line for a recall for the Socceroos against the Blue Samurai in the Asia qualifying Group B encounter after playing only a few minutes as substitute in Australia's 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia. It is also an important night elsewhere in Asia with China desperately needing a win against Uzbekistan in Group A in Tashkent to keep its faint hopes alive and the so far point-less 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar at home to Syria. Iran and South Korea are protecting their unbeaten starts to the Asian campaign in the evening kick-off. Japan holds a winning 8-7 record over reigning Asian Cup champion Australia, but it has had problems preventing the mercurial Cahill from scoring against it. Cahill, 36, who has returned home to play in the A-League with Melbourne City after 18 years plying his trade overseas, has scored five of his 48 international goals against the Japanese. His scoring record against it could sway coach Ange Postecoglou to start him after late substitute appearances in the last two Russia 2018 qualifiers. It is make-or-break time for China, which was stunned 1-0 at home by war-ravaged Syria earlier this week as it slipped to fifth in Group A. Seventy-eighth ranked China has ambitions of hosting and even winning a World Cup, but has regularly foundered in its qualifying campaigns and faces the Uzbeks, who have already beaten Syria and Qatar. Qatar cannot afford another slip-up after suffering its third straight defeat to South Korea in Suwon and must beat the Syrians in Doha.
