Beijing: Buoyed by the recent EAFF Championship success, China will play against some formidable opponents to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ Finals challenge.

LONDON: Korea Republic received a boost to their FIFA World Cup preparations when they defeated Ivory Coast 2-0 in a friendly at Loftus Road on Wednesday.

COIMBRA, Portugal: EAFF champions China failed to maintain their winning momentum as they went down 2-0 to Portugal in a friendly on Wednesday.

MARIBOR, Slovenia: AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ hosts Qatar went down 4-1 to FIFA World Cup finalists Slovenia in a friendly on Wednesday.

KUALA LUMPUR: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ Finals jigsaw puzzle was completed Wednesday after Australia, Kuwait and Jordan took up their places for next year’s continental footballing extravaganza.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ Qualifiers - Match Day 6(All times local)The final round of AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ qualifiers is played on Wednesday, when the last three spots for the Finals will be decided.Australia need a draw against Indonesia while Oman need to beat Kuwait to make it to the Finals …

TEHRAN – Bryan Robson admitted Thailand need to improve their potency in front of goal after they failed to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ finals following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Iran at Azadi Stadium on Wednesday.

AMMAN – Jordan coach Adnan Hamad dedicated his side's qualification to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ to the Jordanian royal family and all the people from the Hashemite Kingdom as they surpassed expectations to snatch second place in Group E following a 2-1 win over Singapore on Wednesday.

TEHRAN – A late goal from Javed Nekounam secured a narrow 1-0 win for Iran over Thailand in their final qualifying game for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ at Azadi Stadium on Wednesday.