Australia left to fly flag for Asian confederation

HANOVER, June 24 (Reuters) Australia find themselves as the only ''Asian'' team left standing at the World Cup after the group stages.

South Korea's controversial exit yesterday brought more heartbreak to Asian Football Confederation (AFC) representatives after Japan, Saudi Arabia and Iran failed to make any impact.

The Koreans, semi-finalists as co-hosts in 2002, could have finished top of Group G but a 2-0 defeat by Switzerland, combined with a French win over Togo, left them in tears.

Asian champions Japan, Saudi Arabia and Iran all finished bottom of their groups with just a single point each to show for their efforts.

Their results will be a concern for Asian officials anxious to convince FIFA they deserve to hold on to their four automatic World Cup slots for 2010.

The AFC will be hoping their newest member Australia can upset Italy in their second round game on Sunday and reach the quarter-finals. South Korea's amazing success in 2002 -- along with co-hosting Japan's achievement in reaching the last 16 -- never looked like being repeated.

But Australia, who ditched Oceania and joined the AFC in January, have been one of the surprise teams of the tournament in their first World Cup since 1974.

Three late goals gave them a 3-1 victory over Japan in their Group F opener and the Socceroos booked their spot in the last 16 with a 2-2 draw against Croatia.

ADDED SPICE Australia's showdown with Italy will have added spice as coach Guus Hiddink masterminded South Korea's 2-1 win over the Azzurri at the same stage in 2002.

No Asian team had previously improved on North Korea's quarter-final appearance at the 1966 finals.

South Korea coach Dick Advocaat's hopes of emulating his fellow Dutchman evaporated on Friday with a painful 2-0 defeat by Switzerland.

A fiercely disputed second goal from Alex Frei effectively sealed the team's fate after defender Philippe Senderos's header had put the Swiss in front.

''It was offside,'' fumed Korean defender Lee Young-pyo. ''That goal killed the game off.'' Japan's challenge fell apart after their late collapse against Australia and a 4-1 defeat by Brazil in Zico's final game in charge compounded their misery.

''It is a setback for football in Japan,'' FIFA president Sepp Blatter said.

Saudi Arabia were better than in 2002 when they were humiliated 8-0 by Germany in their opening game but were still the weakest team in Group H.

Iran also had a tournament to forget.

''To be honest I think it was all too much for us,'' was Iranian defender Hosein Kaebi's frank assessment, summing up Asia's World Cup woes.

REUTERS DH RS2025