Aussies almost there

Australia were left on the brink of securing their place at next year's World Cup finals in South Africa after beating Uzbekistan 2-0 at the Olympic Stadium yesterday.

Substitute Josh Kennedy broke the deadlock after 66 minutes with a header before Harry Kewell sealed the win in the 73rd with a penalty.

Australia, who ended a 32-year drought by qualifying as the last team for the 2006 finals, were tantalisingly close to becoming the first country to join the host nation at the 2010 World Cup.

Yet to concede a single goal after five matches in the fourth round of Asian qualifiers, Australia need to collect just one more point from their remaining three matches in June to secure their place at the finals.

A draw between Bahrain and Qatar in Manama would have sent the Socceroos through.

Bahrain won the match 1-0, meaning Australia will have to wait until their next game in Qatar on June 6 to advance.

Australia currently lead the group with 13 points from Japan 11, with Bahrain on seven and Uzbekistan and Qatar at the foot of the table on four each.

Also yesterday, South Korea beat North Korea 1-0 with a late goal in a World Cup qualifier clouded by Pyongyang's plans to shoot off a rocket that Seoul says is a disguised long-range missile test.

With the win South Korea leap-frogged North Korea to take spot in Asia's Group Two. North Korea are trying for their first World Cup finals since their surprise run to the final eight in 1966.