Asian quartet seal first spots

The first qualified teams for the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 have been confirmed, with Iran, Iraq, Japan and Uzbekistan joining hosts UAE as Asian representatives at next year's event. The four teams secured their spot at UAE 2013 after reaching the semi-finals of the 2012 AFC U-16 Championship, which is currently taking place in Iran. Japan, who edged Syria 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the Asian championship, will be appearing at the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals for the fourth consecutive time, and seventh overall, while Iraq secured their place for the first time ever after their 3-1 win against Kuwait. Uzbekistan will be making their second appearance, after their debut at Mexico 2011, after they edged Korea Republic on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Iran, who will be playing at the finals for the third time after Trinidad and Tobago 2001 and Nigeria 2009, hammered Australia 5-1 in the quarter-finals and advanced to face Uzbekistan, while Japan will take on Iraq in the semi-finals of the regional competition, which will be concluded on 6 October. From Fifa