2002 World Cup - Qatar 2 Uzbekistan 2

China are one win away from the 2002 World Cup finals after this result.

Qatar and Uzbekistan drew 2-2 in Doha to increase China's chances of reaching the finals for the first time.

Both sides failed to close the gap on Bora Milutinovic's group leaders. Qatar remain in second place and are four points behind China having played a game more while the Uzbeks move up into third.

If China beat struggling Oman in Shenyang next Sunday they will clinch a place in Korea and Japan.

Qatar took the lead in the 9th minute when Mohamed al Enazi scored from close range after Abdulrahman Nasser al Obaidly and Mubarak Mustafa combined to cross.

Uzbek captain Mirabjalal Kasimov scored at the third attempt in the 45th minute when a shot twice came back of the post.

The Uzbeks took a 47th minute lead when Nikolai Shirashoe was put clear to launch a powerful drive into the net.

Ahmed Khalifa scored from a long range free kick in the 86th minute to equalise.

China beat UAE 1-0 on Thursday to look certain favourites to reach the finals now.