URUGUAY TAKE FINAL PLACE

Uruguay draw 1-1 with Costa Rica to complete a 2-1 aggregate win in their play-off for the last World Cup place.

The two-times World Champions (1930 and 1950) become the fifth South American side to qualify for the tournament joining, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Argentina.

WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS

2006 Runners-up France secured their place in South Africa following a 1-1 draw with Ireland in Paris, although controversy surrounded William Gallas's equalizing goal in extra time (that gave France a 2-1 aggregate win) after Thierry Henry clearly handled the ball in the build up.

Portugal won 1-0 in Bosnia to complete a 2-0 aggregate win.

2004 European Champions Greece won 1-0 in the Ukraine to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1994.

Slovenia broke Russian hearts with a 1-0 home win, which meant that the late away goal they scored in Moscow in Saturday proved decisive.

Algeria beat Egypt 1-0 in Khartoum to secure their first appearance in the Finals since 1982.

NEW ZEALAND BOOK FINALS BERTH

New Zealand sealed their place at next summer's World Cup Finals by virtue of a 1-0 win after Bahrain in the second leg of their play-off in Wellington.

Rory Fallon scored the all-important goal in the 44th minute, but Bahrain, seeking to reach the World Cup for the first time, missed a glorious chance to equalize when Sayed Adnan's poor penalty was saved five minutes into the second half.

New Zealand qualify for the Finals for the first time since 1982.

PREDICTIONS FOR PLAY-OFFS

My predictions for the World Cup Play-Offs...

As much as I'd like to see Bahrain reach the World Cup for the first time, I think the experience of New Zealand will prevail - I'll go for 1-0.

Uruguay and Costa Rica is a difficult one....I'll go with the Central American nation to come out on top against the two-time World Cup winners...

In Europe? Portugal, having only just sneaked into the play-offs, will get through but I think it'll be two tight games with Bosnia..

Ukraine will beat Greece...

France are in a delicate state and have a coach who may prove to be the weakest link...I think Ireland can take them and I'm expecting real drama in this one..

In spite of Russia's pedigree and Guus Hiddink's midas touch, I have a feeling that Slovenia will come out on top in this one and be heading to South Africa next summer...

RONALDO SET TO MISS PLAY-OFF

The ankle injury that has kept Cristiano Ronaldo out of action for a month looks set to rule him out of Portugal's forthcoming "do-or-die" double-header with Bosnia-Hervegovina.

The medical update affirms that Ronaldo needs more recuperation time, and comes in spite of Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz's assertion last month that the star player would definitely be involved in the play-off.

A poor qualification campaign has left Portugal - who finished fourth at the World Cup in Germany in 2006 - in the last chance saloon of the play-offs to seal a berth at South Africa 2010.

Bosnia will be buoyed by the news of Ronaldo's absence as they seek to reach the World Cup Finals for the first time ever. The first leg is in Lisbon on November 14 and the pressure will be on the Portuguese to establish a lead to take to Bosnia the following Wednesday.

EUROPEAN PLAY-OFF DRAW

The draw for the European World Cup play-offs took place at FIFA headquarters in Zurich a few minutes ago. The four winners of the two-legged ties, to be played on the 14th and 18th November, will claim the remaining four European places at next summer's World Cup. The draw resulted in the following pairings:

Republic of Ireland v France

Portugal v Bosnia-Herzegovina

Greece v Ukraine

Russia v Slovenia

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ASIAN PLAY-OFF HALF TIME SCORE:

Bahrain 0-0 Saudi Arabia

OCEANIA

New Zealand have already qualified from the ‘ten nation’ Oceania continental zone, and will face an inter-continental play-off against the winners of a play-off in the Asian zone between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The winners of the inter-continental play-off will qualify for South Africa 2010. The dates of the two-legged play-off are October 10 and November 14, with the first leg in Asia and the second leg in New Zealand.

ASIA September World Cup Play-off Fixtures

Saturday, 5 September

Bahrain v Saudi Arabia


Wednesday, 9 September

Saudi Arabia v Bahrain


This is a two-legged playoff, with the winners advancing to an inter-continental playoff with New Zealand to decide who goes to South Africa 2010.

Australia, Japan, South Korea and Korea DPR (North Korea) have all qualified for the finals next summer.