Summary Syria's heroics also extinguished China's faint hopes of reaching only their second World Cup
HONG KONG: (AFP) - South Korea squeezed unconvincingly into their ninth straight World Cup on Tuesday, as war-torn Syria scored a stoppage-time equaliser to secure a shock spot in the Asian play-offs.
South Korea ground out a 0-0 draw against Uzbekistan to lock up second place in Group A, while Omar Al Soma s 93rd-minute goal gave Syria a 2-2 draw with Iran to finish third.
Syria s heroics also extinguished China s faint hopes of reaching only their second World Cup, despite snatching a 2-1 win over 2022 hosts Qatar after Wu Lei s late winner.
In Group B, Australia won 2-1 against Thailand but they will be knocked out of the second automatic qualifying spot if Saudi Arabia beat Japan in the evening s final game in Jeddah.
The United Arab Emirates had a slim chance of reaching the play-offs, but their dream died when they lost 1-0 to Iraq to finish fourth in Group B.
