North Korea secure victory

North Korea boosted their hopes of reaching the 2010 World Cup with a key win in today’s round of Asian qualifiers, while Australia and Japan also shored up their chances of making it to football’s showpiece event.



North Korea beat perennial qualifier Saudi Arabia 1-nil at home to jump to second in Group two of Asian qualifying, with the top two teams from each group to qualify directly for the 2010 event in South Africa.



At the halfway mark of the final round of Asian qualifying, North Korea have moved to seven points, one below neighbour South Korea, which snatched a one-all draw away at Iran.



In Group one, Australia recorded a valuable scoreless draw away at Japan, keeping then two points clear atop the group and in prime position to reach successive World Cup finals.