Both Qatar and Bahrain know nothing less than a win will do today with both sides level on four points. The winner of the game will be in a stronger position to claim third place and Bahrain coach Milan Macala has told his players to focus solely on achieving that goal. "We have no other chance now but to fight for the third place in the qualifiers," said Macala. "Japan and Australia are now closer to claiming the first two spots and our only hope now is to claim third place.
"The defeat against Japan is not the end of the qualifiers for us but it would have been better to have got a point from that game." Meanwhile, Australia coach Pim Verbeek believes Harry Kewell is in the best shape of his life as the Socceroos continue their pursuit of a second successive World Cup appearance in today's Group One qualifier in Sydney. "It's the best Harry Kewell I've seen since I have been here, both physically and mentally," said the Dutchman. "Turkey is very good for him at the moment.
Verbeek does, however, have fitness concerns over Everton's Tim Cahill (calf) and Palermo's Mark Bresciano (back). * With agencies