Hamburg  - Australia on Wednesday took another step towards the finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when they held Japan to a goalless draw in Yokohama.

The home side dominated the match against the Socceroos, who had earlier announced that they would donate their match fee to the victims of devastating bushfires that has caused nearly 200 deaths in Australia.

But even though they had most of the possession the 2002 co-hosts could not find a way past Mark Schwarzer in the Australian goal.

The draw leaves Australia topping Group 1 with 10 points from four of eight matches, while Japan are second on eight points.

Bahrain, who beat Uzebekistan 1-0 through a last-gasp goal by Mahmood Abdulrahman scored five minutes into injury time, are third on four points.

Group 2 also had a major clash with visiting South Korea salvaging a 1-1 draw in Iran from Manchester United's Park Ji Sung with nine minutes left in Tehran.

Osasuna's Javad Nekounam thought he had given Ali Daei's side victory after a 59th minute opener.

The results leave the group wide open, with South Korea leading the way on eight points from their four matches, while North Korea have seven points. Third-placed Iran are on six points, while Saudi Arabia are on four points and the United Arab Emirates on one.

North Korea, whose only previous appearance at the World Cup finals was in 1966 when they sensationally made it to the quarter- finals, kept their hopes of making it to South Africa alive with a 1-0 victory at home in the Kim Il Sung stadium in Pyongyang against Saudi Arabia from Mun in Guk on the half hour mark.

The two top-ranked teams advance straight to the 2010 finals, while the winner of tie between the third-placed teams plays off for a place in South Africa against New Zealand, who won the Oceania qualifying competition. (dpa)