Long Day of World Cup Qualifiers Begins

Australia 2 - Uzbekistan 0 (World Cup Qualifier, April 1, 2009)

The Socceroos had to wait until the final stages of the match to beat the Uzbekis. Josh Kennedy met a Marco Bresciano cross to head the hosts into a 66th minute lead and Harry Kewell made sure of the points, slotting home a 70th minute penalty and leaving Australia on the verge of qualification for South Africa 2010.

(Longer highlights here.)

South Korea 1-North Korea 0 (World Cup Qualifier, April 1, 2009)

Neither the North or South Koreans were able to break the deadlock at the interval (first half highlights here) in a politically-charged meeting between the warring nations. After having a goal wrongly chalked off after the break and then holding out for 88 minutes, eventually the North Koreans fell behind to their southern neighbours when Kim Chi Woo’s last-gasp free-kick evaded everyone to nestle in back of the net. (Second half highlights here.)

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Iran 1-Senegal 1 (International Friendly, April 1, 2009)

Iran took the lead after 28 minutes when the Senegalease defence failed to close down Khalatbari on the left-hand side. His cross was only parried by keeper N’Diaya with Mehrzad Madanchi heading the rebound into the open net. Papiss Cisse’s clinical header just before the hour mark earned the Africans a draw.