NORTH Korea, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia powered into the final phase of Asian World Cup qualifying on Saturday, with Japan virtually assured of a place alongside them after beating Thailand 3-0.

Hong Yong Jo scored twice as North Korea beat Jordan 2-0 in Pyongyang to seal not just their place among the final 10 teams still standing on the road to South Africa in 2010 but also South Korea's.

Trailing the two Koreas by four points at the start of the game, Jordan needed a win to keep alive their hopes, but a goal in each half from Serbian-based striker Hong sealed their fate.

That draw takes place later this month to decide the two groups of five who will vie for the four automatic berths Asia has been allocated in the finals.

The fifth placed side play off against a team from Oceania.

Saudi Arabia, in their first match under new coach Nasser Al Johar, who replaced the sacked Helio dos Anjos earlier this week, took the points they needed against Singapore to ensure they remain on track.

It was one-way traffic with goals from Abdoh Autef in the first half and substitute Ahmed Al Fraidi in the second, leaving them on 12 points in Group 4 alongside Uzbekistan, who earned their place in the deciding round last week.

Singapore trail on three points, with their dreams of appearing at a first ever World Cup finals shattered. Lebanon, who have lost all their games so far, play the Uzbeks later on Saturday in Tashkent.

Japan virtually ensured their progress from Group 2 with a resounding 3-0 defeat of Thailand in Bangkok.

They now have 11 points, and a draw or win for Bahrain against Oman in the group's other game later on Saturday will see the three-time Asian champions safely into the final phase of qualifying.

It was the defenders who did the damage for Takeshi Okada's side, who were boosted by influential midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, starting after recovering from an injury.

Playing in front of masses of drum-beating Japanese supporters, the visitors struck first in the 22nd minute when Marcus Tanaka nodded home a corner kick from Yasuhito Endo.

Japan doubled their lead in the 38th minute when Endo turned provider again, this time sending a cross in for captain Yuji Nakazawa to head in at the far post.

In the 88th minute, Kengo Nakamura latched onto a through ball and coolly slotted home to seal the match.

Group 5 remains wide open after Iran put themselves back in contention with a narrow victory over United Arab Emirates last weekend.

They top their group on six points, one ahead of UAE and Syria and two clear of Kuwait.

Ali Daei's men play Syria later on Saturday while the UAE are in Kuwait. -- AFP

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