Qatar, UAE suffer heavy defeats in qualifiers

Australia thrashed Qatar 4-0 in Brisbane, courtesy of a double from Blackburn Rovers midfielder Brett Emerton.

Everton playmaker Tim Cahill was also on the scoresheet, while Joshua Kennedy concluded the win as the Socceroos snatched top spot in Group A with six points from two games.

In the same group, Japan were surprisingly held to a 1-1 home draw by rock bottom Uzbekistan, who stroke first through Maksim Shatskikh.

Keiji Tamada equalized for Japan before half-time to help the Japanese jump to second place with four points, surpassing Qatar on goal difference.

Korea Outclass UAE

In Korea, the home side handed UAE their third successive defeat in Group B, winning 4-1 in Seoul.

Lee Keun-Ho scored twice for Korea as Park Ji-Sung and Kwak Tae-Hee completed the rout, while Ismail Salem scored the Emirates only goal.

Korea climbed to top with four points, while UAE remain bottom with no points.