Ireland's opponent in the November play-offs for a place in 2002 World Cup Finals will not be known until October 31st, but following last weekend's round of games in the AFC campaign a clearer picture is beginning to emerge.
China secured its first ever qualification for the World Cup last Sunday by beating Oman in Shenyang in Group B while Group A has become a two-way contest between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Iran take on neighbours Iraq in Tehran tomorrow knowing that a win will move them into top position in the group with only one game remaining. A draw or defeat though will all but hand the automatic qualification position to Saudi Arabia, which faces bottom side Thailand at home in its last match.
United Arab Emirates is currently second in Group B but that could change following Saturday's matches between China and Qatar, and Oman and Uzbekistan.
Qatar trail United Arab Emirates by only a point so victory against the already-qualified Chinese will move them into second place but with a game more played.
Uzbekistan, however, has played one less game than both United Arab Emirates and Qatar, and victory in its final two games should see it through to the play-offs on goal difference.
The AFC play-offs will be played over two legs on October 25th and 31st with the winner playing Ireland also over two legs, November 10th and 15th. The worsening political climate in the Middle East may, however, force FIFA to change its plans with a one-off match in a neutral country the most likely option.