FIFA.com - 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ - News

Hotshots lighting South Africa way

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:57:00 GMT

With about 230 days until South Africa 2010 kicks off, 23 teams have secured their spots thanks to a world-class goalscorer or two in their ranks.

Contrasting reactions in Asia

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:15:00 GMT

Korea DPR's historic FIFA World Cup qualification and Iran's surprise failure to reach the world stage has been the focus in Asian media this week.

Key moments in Asian qualifying

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:53:00 GMT

Asian FIFA World Cup qualifying featured countless tight matches. FIFA.com looks at ten pivotal moments that ultimately shaped the campaign.

Korea DPR qualify, Iran miss out

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:12:00 GMT

Korea DPR reached next year's FIFA World Cup as Iran's hopes ended, while Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will meet for the right to face New Zealand.

Bahrain slip past Uzbekistan

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:57:00 GMT

Mahmood Abdulrahman's second-half strike secured the win for Bahrain over Uzbekistan to keep alive their hopes of a place at South Africa 2010.

Asia hopefuls face decisive contest

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:12:00 GMT

The final day of FIFA World Cup qualifying in Asia sees five nations in competition to keep alive their dream of a ticket to South Africa 2010.

Asian media laud qualification

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:57:00 GMT

Australia, Japan and Korea Republic all received widespread praise in local media after qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Focus turns to remaining hopefuls

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:43:00 GMT

With Australia, Japan and Korea Republic through to South Africa 2010, attention turns to the battle for the Asia's remaining qualification places.

Okada targets 2010 semis

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:18:00 GMT

Japan coach Takeshi Okada has set a target of a place in the last four at South Africa 2010 after the Blue Samurai became the first team to qualify.

Asian trio become first qualifiers

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:37:00 GMT

Japan and Korea Republic both won on their travels to seal their places at South Africa 2010, while Australia also progressed despite a draw.

Qualification delights Okada

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:02:00 GMT

Japan coach Takeshi Okada saluted his side after they saw off Uzbekistan 1-0 in Tashkent to secure a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Socceroos sight history

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:20:00 GMT

Should Australia earn a point in Qatar, they will secure consecutive FIFA World Cup qualifications for the first time in their history.

Japan look to break Uzbek jinx

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:18:00 GMT

Japan coach Takeshi Okada expects a tough match in Uzbekistan tomorrow with the two nations having drawn both of their most recent encounters.

Decisive matches await in Asia

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:34:00 GMT

Despite further matches later in the month, this Saturday could provide pivotal in determining which Asian teams reach South Africa 2010.

Australia and Japan sight world stage

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:14:00 GMT

Both Australia and Japan will be the first teams to qualify for South Africa 2010 if they claim three points in their respective matches on Saturday.

Verbeek overlooks Viduka

Wed, 27 May 2009 11:04:00 GMT

Coach Pim Verbeek has left Mark Viduka out of his squad for Australia's upcoming qualifiers, but handed recalls to Brad Jones and Vince Grella.

Mixed reactions in Asian media

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:56:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at the very different reactions that have followed a week of dramatic action in the Asian Zone's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Okada: Japan face tough Uzbek test

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:46:00 GMT

Japan's coach Takeshi Okada has warned his team that they would see a much improved Uzbekistan in their next qualifier for South Africa 2010.

History lesson for challengers

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:19:00 GMT

FIFA.com reminds Asian teams on the verge of a place at South Africa 2010 not to take things easy in the final matches, pointing to Iran's example.

Bahrain delay Aussie parade

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:23:00 GMT

Australia moved within a whisker of a place in South Africa, while United Arab Emirates were officially eliminated from contention in Asia.

Victory leaves Aussies on cusp

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:14:00 GMT

Australia will become the first team to qualify for South Africa 2010 if Bahrain and Qatar draw later today, after beating Uzbekistan 2-0 at home.

D-day approaches in Asia

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:15:00 GMT

Korea Republic welcome Korea DPR to Seoul, while Australia could become the first team to qualify. FIFA.com previews the Asian action.

Australia on the verge

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:59:00 GMT

With a long history of FIFA World Cup qualifying anguish, Australia now find themselves in sight of being the first team to qualify for South Africa.

Eastern delight in Asia

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:53:00 GMT

Japan and Korea DPR seized the top spots in Asia, while Iran crashed to a rare home defeat to Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan cruised against Qatar.

Tadjiev headers lift Uzbekistan

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:41:00 GMT

Uzbekistan went third in Group 1 after a hat-trick of headers from Farhod Tadjiev inspired them to a 4-0 victory over Qatar in Asian Zone qualifying.

Asian top spots up for grabs

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:30:00 GMT

Pole position in Asia's FIFA World Cup groups will be up for grabs on Saturday, with Australia and Korea Republic watching from the sidelines.

Rested Aussies ready for Uzbeks

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:10:00 GMT

Australian players hope the extra rest they will have had by the time Uzbekistan visit Sydney next week will help them to another victory.

Kewell returns to Aussie squad

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:07:00 GMT

Harry Kewell has been named in the Australia squad to face Uzbekistan in a qualifier that can seal the Socceroos' passage to South Africa 2010.

Djeparov dreams beyond Asia

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:00:00 GMT

AFC Player of the Year Uzbekistan's Server Djeparov has many domestic, international and personal ambitions for the coming months.

Can west Asia bounce back?

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 23:59:00 GMT

Korea Republic and Korea DPR are ahead in the race for a place in South Africa 2010, but will Iran or Saudi Arabia catch up? Have Your Say!

Asian starlets shining brightly

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:23:00 GMT

A selection of rising stars have made positive impressions during Asian Zone qualifying for South Africa 2010. FIFA.com takes a closer look.

Same results, different reactions

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:32:00 GMT

Interest in Asian qualifying for South Africa 2010 is reaching fever pitch. FIFA.com takes a look at the differing media reaction across the continent.

All to play for in Asia

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 07:09:00 GMT

The final stage of Asian FIFA World Cup qualifying has reached the midway point with some nations well positioned but others facing elimination.

Draws keep favourites on track

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:14:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks back on a day of tight, tense action in Asia as the continent's finest fight it out for places at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Bahrain strike late to beat Uzbekistan

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:21:00 GMT

Bahrain's Mahmood Abdulrahman scored in injury time to secure a vital 1-0 win in Uzbekistan and revive his team's hopes of claiming a place in South Africa.

Okada under fire after defeat

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:42:00 GMT

Japan coach Takeshi Okada has come under fire again after a defeat to Bahrain ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifying showdown with Australia.

Uzbekistan's comeback quest

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:57:00 GMT

Uzbekistan will go into next month's South Africa 2010 qualifier against Bahrain well prepared and keen to atone for a slow start to their campaign.

Ups and downs in Asia

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:58:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at the story so far in the fourth round of Asian qualifying, which includes triumph, tragedy and some inspired efforts from old-timers.

Asian gunners aiming higher

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:29:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look at the names in the race to become the top goalscorer in the Asian Zone's preliminary competition for South Africa 2010.

Comfortable wins silence critics

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:28:00 GMT

Australia and Korea Republic won impressively to silence their critics, while Japan coach Takeshi Okada received support despite his side's draw.

Uzbeks thank Zico

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:38:00 GMT

Uzbekistan's coach Mirjalol Kasymov has thanked Zico for giving him inside tips ahead of his side's 1-1 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw Japan.

Okada bemoans 'timid' Japan

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:27:00 GMT

Japan coach Takeshi Okada has called for more aggression from his players in the wake of their disappointing 1-1 home draw with Uzbekistan.

Zico gets behind Uzbeks

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:07:00 GMT

Former Japan boss Zico has been giving Uzbekistan inside information on his former charges ahead of a qualifier between the two countries.

Underdogs look to defy odds

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:16:00 GMT

Qatar and Korea DPR have taken surprise leads in the two Asian fourth round qualifying groups, but they both face tough tests on Wednesday.

Australia and Japan seek dominance

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:14:00 GMT

In Group 1 of Asian qualifying for South Africa 2010, Australia and Japan will be looking to consolidate at home after their impressive starts.

Uzbeks relishing Japan rematch

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:22:00 GMT

Facing an uphill battle after two successive defeats, Uzbekistan are aiming to revive their hopes by claiming their first-ever win over Japan.

UAE hold Japan in warm-up

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:13:00 GMT

United Arab Emirates held Japan to a 1-1 draw on their travels as the two sides prepared for South Africa 2010 qualifiers next Wednesday.

Contrasting reactions in Asia

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:02:00 GMT

There was praise for Australia, muted praise for Qatar and disappointment in Korea Republic, as the media had their say on the Asian qualifiers.

Verbeek: We're sending a warning

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:42:00 GMT

Pim Verbeek claims that his Australia side has sent a warning to their qualifying rivals by starting their fourth round campaign with an away win.

Dark horses lead the way

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:36:00 GMT

Although the Asian top seeds made solid debuts, it is still the surprise packages Qatar and Korea DPR who lead their respective Asian groups.

Australia leave Uzbeks on a knife-edge

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:59:00 GMT

Australia plunged Uzbekistan further into the FIFA World Cup mire with a 1-0 win to successfully launch the final stage of their Asian qualifying campaign.