Italy through to finals

Japan beat Iran 3-2 in sudden death extra time at Johor Bahru to reach the finals for the first time.

The two sides were deadlocked 2-2 after 90 minutes but Japan substitute Masayuki Okano scored the golden goal in the 25th minute of sudden death in the World Cup Asian Zone play-off.

Croatia drew 1-1 in Ukraine, Yugoslavia crushed Hungary 5-0 in Belgrade and Belgium defeated Ireland 2-1 in Brussels to book their places in France from June 10 to July 12.

The Croatians, who had won the first leg 2-0 in Zagreb, advanced on a 3-1 aggregate thanks to their draw in Kiev, while the Yugoslavs added a second convincing victory to their 7-1 win in Budapest.

Belgium followed up their 1-1 draw in Ireland last month by beating the Irish 2-1 in Brussels with goals from Oliveira (25th minute) and Nilis (70th). Houghton (59th) had levelled for Ireland In Belgrade, Predrag Mijatovic scored four times to ease Yugoslavia into the finals. Savo Milosevic scored for the Yugoslavs in the 17th minute.

In Kiev, the Ukrainians opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Andriy Shevchenko fired in a shot from close range.

But Alen Boksic tied the score in the 28th minute to ensure the Croatian qualification.