An extraordinary row between South Korea and Iran highlights tensions in Asia's final World Cup qualifying group matches, with Australia also urging caution before trying to book their ticket to Brazil. South Korea's promise to "make life painful" for Iran and to force their captain to cry "tears of blood" have sharply raised the stakes before Tuesday's clash between the Asian giants at Seoul's World Cup stadium.

US coach Jurgen Klinsmann wants his players to keep the pedal down Tuesday when they host Honduras in a 2014 World Cup qualifier, a week after a win over Panama shot them to the top of the regional table. "This game against Honduras is a big, big game," Klinsmann said. "For me it's almost a six-pointer. You want to win this game badly." Jozy Altidore scored for the third time in three matches for the US and Eddie Johnson grabbed the insurance goal in a crisp 2-0 victory over Panama in Seattle last Tuesday.

Fixtures, results and standings in CONCACAF final-round qualifying for the 2014 Brazil World Cup ahead of Tuesday's matches: Tuesday, June 18 At Sandy, Utah United States v Honduras At San Jose Costa Rica v Panama Standings (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points) United States 5 3 1 1 6 3 10 Costa Rica 5 2 2 1 5 3 8 Mexico 6 1 5 0 3 2 8 Honduras 5 2 1 2 6 6 7 Panama 5 1 3 1 5 5 6 Jamaica 6 0 2 4 2 8 2

World and European champions Spain got their Confederations Cup campaign off to a winning start here Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Uruguay in Group B. Spain took the lead on 20 minutes with a shot from Pedro which deflected in off Uruguay captain Diego Lugano before a wonderfully worked goal from Roberto Soldado made it 2-0 on 32 minutes.