Iran in WC2010 qualifiers Group 5

PTV - Iran will play Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Syria on a home and away basis in the third qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup.

Analysts believe that Iran's national soccer team, which has been drawn in Group 5, has a strong chance of advancing to the next round, despite having a number of senior players who have reached the end of their international careers.

The draw for Asia's third round of qualification for the 2010 World Cup, which will start on February 6, 2008, was made in Durban on Sunday evening, with 20 remaining hopefuls divided into the five groups.

The first and second team in each group will progress to the fourth and final round on the road to South Africa.

Elsewhere in Group 1, Australia, China, Qatar, and Asian champions Iraq were drawn together in a 'group of death', where at least two will not get through this round.

Japan will face Bahrain, Oman, and Southeast Asia's powerhouse Thailand in Group 2.

South Korea will meet up with North Korea in Group 3, where Jordan and Turkmenistan are also present.

Finally, Saudi Arabia will take on Uzbekistan, Lebanon, and Singapore in Group 4.