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     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.
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