Australia midfielder Tim Cahill (L) is slide-tackled by Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka during their 2010 World Cup qualifier at Yokohama International Stadium on Wednesday.Photo: AFPJapan and Australia shared the spoils in Asian World Cup qualifying on Wednesday but there was a crucial win for North Korea, who beat Saudi Arabia to leave Nasser Al Johar's side in serious trouble.
In Tehran, Manchester United star Park Ji-Sung came to South Korea's rescue with an 81st minute strike to cancel out Javad Nekounam's goal to give them a battling 1-1 draw with Iran.
The Socceroos will feel fortunate to come away from Yokohama with a 0-0 draw after soaking up long periods of pressure, but it leaves them well positioned in Group 1 with 10 points from four games.
Japan remain hot on their heels with two wins and two draws for eight points, while Mahmood Abdulrahman scored a 94th minute winner for Bahrain in their 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
It leaves the Uzbeks virtually out of the running with just one point, while Bahrain remain alive on four points, alongside Qatar.
Only the top two teams from each group qualify for South Africa while the third-placed teams play each other with the winner facing Oceania champions New Zealand for the final World Cup berth.
On a chilly night in Yokohama, the home team got off to the better start, with Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura a lurking danger, unleashing a trademark shot midway through the first half only to see it go just over.
The Australians surprisingly had to wait until first-half injury time for their first clear-cut shot when Everton dangerman Tim Cahill went close.
But they came out with a more aggressive attitude after the break and piled on the pressure before Japan fought back with substitute forward Yoshito Okubo and Yasuhito Endo hitting sizzling shots to keep Mark Schwarzer busy.
In Pyongyang, North Korea's drive towards their first World Cup finals since 1966 stayed on track with a vital 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia, leaving their opponents with a massive uphill task to qualify.
Mun In-Guk was the Korean hero, toe-poking the ball under Saudi keeper Waleed Abdullah in the 29th minute to put his side on seven points in Group 2 after four games.
The Saudis, who have made the last four World Cup finals, are now in big trouble with just four points and four games to play, starting with a tough trip to Tehran next month to face Iran in a must-win match.
Played on an artificial surface in freezing temperatures at the Kim Il-Sung Stadium in Pyongyang, the Saudis had the opening chance when Tassier Al Jassim picked up the ball in the box but failed to produce the killer touch.
The Koreans soon woke up and were dangerous on the break.
Their patience paid off when captain Hong Yon-Jo's lovely backheel found Mun, with the midfielder making no mistake to put his team 1-0 in front, a lead they defended admirably.
Group leaders South Korea now have eight points after their 1-1 draw with Iran, who slip to third place on six points behind North Korea.
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