Road to Brazil: Asian Group A wrap

Group A of the Asian qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil remains surprisingly close, but Korea Republic will looking to put some distance between first and second place in the next round of matches.

Group A of the Asian qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil remains surprisingly close, but Korea Republic will looking to put some distance between first and second place in the next round of matches.

The group favourites certainly got off to the best start in this round of qualifying, defeating Lebanon - whom the Qantas Socceroos face in a friendly next week - 3-0 in Goyang, followed by a 4-1 thumping of Qatar in a highly impressive away performance in Doha.

Two games, two wins, seven goals scored and only one conceded have put world No.29 Korea Republic on top of the group - but not out of touch; only two points separate them and Iran going into matchday three, which brings a tough trip to Tashkent to face Uzbekistan.

Although the Taeguk Warriors have won both of their last two meetings, (3-2 and 4-2) Uzbekistan haven-t gone gently and shown they can hurt Korea.

But after drawing away to Lebanon and losing 1-0 at home to Iran, the Uzbeks look set to be on the losing side again.

Iran seem to have the strongest claim to second place and with Lebanon next - currently bottom of the group without a win in three games - Carlos Queiroz-s side will be confident of cementing their spot at the right end of the ladder.

And in the middle are Qatar, having already played one more game than Iran and the Uzbeks on either side, and yet to convince anyone that they have enough to push the favourites in the race for the qualifying spots.

Next Group A Fixtures: Lebanon v Iran, 11/09, Beirut Uzbekistan v Korea Republic, 11/09, Tashkent

The Qantas Socceroos face Lebanon in an international friendly at Beirut-s Sports City Stadium, at 8.30pm local time (3.30am AEST, Friday, 7 September).

Following that, the Qantas Socceroos resume their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign against Jordan in Amman, at 7pm on Tuesday, 11 September (2am AEST, Wednesday, 12 September).

The Qantas Socceroos return to Australia in 2013, for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia at 7.30pm, Tuesday, 26 March, followed by Iraq, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 18 June.

Tickets for both matches at Stadium Australia are on sale now through Ticketek or via phone, 132 849.