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Bangkok : Troubled Iran may have finally put their house in order off the field, but on it things are not looking good for the three-times World Cup qualifiers.
Despite having untangled themselves from months of mess, including persistent political problems and a drawn-out coaching crisis, Iran are without a win since July and have not scored in six matches ahead of this week's World Cup qualifiers.
They travel to Kuwait tomorrow desperate for victory to make amends for a string of uninspiring performances, including a humiliating goalless draw at home to part-timers Syria in their opening Group 5 qualifier.
Now that all-time top goalscorer and former Asian player of the year Ali Daei is in charge, Iran's players can no longer complain of a lack of leadership and their impatient fans will expect nothing less than three points.
South Korea, aiming for a place at their seventh successive World Cup, take on North Korea and have drafted in three England-based players to fortify their lead at the top of Group 3.
Park Ji-sung of Manchester United, Fulham's Seol Ki-hyeon and Lee Young-pyo of Tottenham have all been called up.
Confident of reaching their fourth successive finals, Japan will field only domestic league players for their match away to Group 2 leaders Bahrain.
Asian World Cup qualifyiers:
Group 1
In Doha
Qatar v Iraq (1530)
In Kunming, China
China v Australia (0600)
Group 2
In Bangkok
Thailand v Oman (1200)
In Manama
Bahrain v Japan (1420)
Group 3
In Ashgabat
Turkmenistan v Jordan (1200)
In Shanghai
North Korea v South Korea (1100)
Group 4
In Singapore
Singapore v Lebanon (1130)
In Tashkent
Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia (1100)
Group 5
In Damascus
Syria v UAE (1130)
In Kuwait City
Kuwait v Iran (1245)
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