A goal in the sixth minute from Mohammed Omar gave the United Arab Emirates a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan today to revive their hopes of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup finals. This victory moves the team up to third place in the World Cup Asian Group B table with seven points from five games. China lead on 10 points from four matches, while Qatar are second with eight from five. Uzbekistan, who lost 2-0 to China last week, have dropped to fourth with six points from their five games.
Meanwhile, in the World Cup Asian Group A, Thailand held Iraq to a 1-1 draw earlier today, making it more difficult for either side to qualify for the World Cup. This latest result leaves Thailand rooted to the bottom of the group with Iraq directly above them. At the top, Saudi Arabia have 10 points from five games - two clear of Iran who have a game in hand - after they beat third-placed Bahrain 4-0 on Friday night.
The two Group winners automatically qualify for next year's World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea while the two runners-up go into a playoff, with the winner almost certainly playing Ireland for a place in the finals.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
