By David Gold
July 12 – The draw for the final third round of Asian qualifying for the London 2012 men’s Olympic football tournament was made today, with top seeds South Korea given the toughest task.
The Koreans will travel to the gulf region three times, to face 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman as they look to qualify for next year’s tournament.
Oman in particular will be a tricky opponent after producing the shock of the round to knock out China in the second phase.
Australia have a tricky test against 2007 Asian Cup champions Iraq, who defeated fierce rivals Iran in the last round, and who also knocked out the Australians in the 2004 Athens Olympics qualifying campaign.
The other sides in group B will be Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Japan, who came third in the 1968 Olympic Games, face Bahrain, Malaysia and Syria in Group C as they look to reach London.
The winner of each group will qualify automatically for the tournament, whilst the three runners up will play off in a competition next March for the right to face an African side in a final play off for 2012.
Group selection
Group A: Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman
Group B: Australia, Iraq, Uzbekistan, UAE
Group C: Japan, Bahrain, Syria, Malaysia
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734889232labto1734889232ofdlr1734889232owedi1734889232sni@d1734889232log.d1734889232ivad1734889232