Russia 2018 cast set for Qatar 2022?

Four of Asia's five representatives at Russia 2018 are well placed at the midway point for the automatic spots to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic comfortably placed at the top of Group A with 13 and 11 points respectively. 

Saudi Arabia, on 13 points, are three ahead of Australia at the top of Group B with Japan - the continent's fifth representative at Russia 2018 - third on nine points. 

The top two from each group will advance to Qatar 2022 while the third-placed teams will be involved in a series of playoffs for a possible fifth berth through qualifying.

For Russia 2018, Australia defeated first Syria, then Honduras to book the fifth available spot for Asia.  

Defences take charge

Thursday's matches produced only nine goals as - with the AFC Asian Qualifiers fast approaching the business end - teams opted for a cautious approach.

One match ended 2-1, two finished 1-0 and another two saw 1-1 scorelines while the sixth was a goalless draw indicating teams are emphasising defence over attack. 

Korea Republic, however, would have felt hard done by with the woodwork denying them three times in the 1-0 win over United Arab Emirates.

IR Iran spoilt for attacking choice

The pre-match talk had been about the absent Mehdi Taremi but Islamic Republic of Iran's other awesome attacking players stepped up when they were needed most against Lebanon on Thursday.

Staring at defeat as the match entered stoppage time at the end of the 90 minutes, Sardar Azmoun scored his first goal in the final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers to draw Team Melli level in the first added minute with Ahmad Nourollahi then  sealing a dramatic victory with just about the last kick of the game.

Five players have scored Iran's eight goals and with such attacking talent, it is hard seeing them missing out on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. 

Japan grinding out results

Japan have had to play catch up since suffering a 1-0 defeat to Oman in their opening AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar Group B match and Hajime Moriyasu's men are doing just enough to stay in the race.

The defeat to Oman was followed by a 1-0 win over China PR only for the Samurai Blue to fall to Saudi Arabia by a similar scoreline on Matchday Three.

Wins over Australia (2-1) and Vietnam (1-0) mean Japan are still in the mix for a seventh successive appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals but victory over Oman in Muscat on Tuesday is a must if they are to head into the new year well positioned.

In need of winning runs

Amir Al Ammari's 86th minute equaliser meant Iraq salvaged a 1-1 draw with Syria in Group A on Thursday.

Saving a point would have been greeted by jubilation at any other time but for the fact that it was their fourth draw in five matches, with a win remaining elusive.

Iraq are not the only ones seeking their first victory with fellow Group A sides United Arab Emirates and Syria also in search of triumphs to revive their campaigns.

In Group B, debutants Vietnam are in search of their first points after coming up just short in their five matches against Asia's top sides.

Saudi Arabia spoil Australia's homecoming

The official attendance for Australia's homecoming was 23,314 but it was the handful of Saudi Arabia fans who left the Western Sydney Stadium the happier of the two after a goalless draw on a rain-soaked night.

Playing at home for the first time in more than two years, Australia were determined to deliver but Saudi Arabia just refused to be beaten as Herve Renard's side frustrated the Socceeroos, who dropped points for the second successive match after losing 2-1 to Japan on Matchday Four.