Saudi Arabia hope to be celebrate qualification for the 2010 World Cup today.
Saudi Arabia hope to be celebrate qualification for the 2010 World Cup today.

Crunch for Saudi and Iran



For Saudi Arabia, North Korea and Iran, results in Riyadh and Seoul today could mean the difference between playing in the World Cup or watching it from a distance. Saudi Arabia host North Korea in the last round of Asian qualifying in a match where the winner can secure the last of four automatic Asian spots at South Africa 2010.

But a draw in the Saudi capital and an upset win for Iran in South Korea could give the Iranians the last direct entry. With 15 points, South Korea are already assured of a place at the finals and first place in qualifying Group Two, leaving three countries vying for second and third places. The third-placed teams in each of the Asian qualifying groups will play off for the right to meet Oceania confederation champion New Zealand for a spot at next year's World Cup. Australia and Japan, who have already qualified, will resume a burgeoning regional rivalry in what would otherwise be a meaningless Group One match for both teams.

In that group, Bahrain's loss to Australia last week means they have to avoid defeat against Uzbekistan to secure third place. Uzbekistan are out of contention unless they win. Most attention will be on Group Two, where North Korea and Saudi Arabia (each with 11 points) and Iran (10 points) remain in contention in a tight bunch. A win for the Saudis would give them their fifth successive World Cup appearance, while North Korea are aiming for their first finals since reaching the quarterifinals on their debut in 1966.

A draw in Riyadh coupled with a win for Iran would help the Gulf team into its fourth world Cup and drag North Korea into third place, on goals difference ahead of the Saudis. A crowd of more than 70,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is expected to watch the match between Australia and Japan which will determine who finishes atop Group One. The hosts lead the group with 17 points, two clear of Japan, and haven't conceded a goal in seven matches in this round.

The two teams have managed to build a significant rivalry in a short space of time, fuelled by Australia's 3-1 win in the first round at Germany 2006 that effectively ended Japan's World Cup campaign in the last tournament. Japan beat Australia in a penalty shootout at the Asian Cup quarter-finals the following year. Australia, who were the last team to book a spot for the 2006 World Cup, will be free of the usual anxiety they carry at this stage of the qualifying process, having joined the Asian confederation from Oceania after the 2006 World Cup to avoid the prospect of another one-off, winner-take-all qualifying match against an Asian or South American team.

Both Australia and Japan have scored 10 goals in qualifying but played out a scoreless draw at Tokyo in February. The Socceroos will be without former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, who has been rested and Chris Coyne. * With agencies

Abdul Jabar Qahraman was meeting supporters in his campaign office in the southern Afghan province of Helmand when a bomb hidden under a sofa exploded on Wednesday.

The blast in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah killed the Afghan election candidate and at least another three people, Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak told reporters. Another three were wounded, while three suspects were detained, he said.

The Taliban – which controls much of Helmand and has vowed to disrupt the October 20 parliamentary elections – claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mr Qahraman was at least the 10th candidate killed so far during the campaign season, and the second from Lashkar Gah this month. Another candidate, Saleh Mohammad Asikzai, was among eight people killed in a suicide attack last week. Most of the slain candidates were murdered in targeted assassinations, including Avtar Singh Khalsa, the first Afghan Sikh to run for the lower house of the parliament.

The same week the Taliban warned candidates to withdraw from the elections. On Wednesday the group issued fresh warnings, calling on educational workers to stop schools from being used as polling centres.

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

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AT4 Ultimate, as tested

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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

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Install an air filter in your home.

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