The top-two teams from each of the five groups which are currently playing in the third round (last Match Day is June 22, 2008) qualify for the final phase which runs through September 6, 2008, to June 17, 2009.

The top five seeds for the fourth round draw (based on the ranking of the teams in the 2006 FIFA World Cup) as confirmed by FIFA are:

1) Australia
2) Korea Republic
3) Iran
4) Saudi Arabia and Japan (joint-fourth)

If all the five top seeds qualify for the fourth round, Japan and Saudi Arabia, who are tied fourth, will be separated by a draw as recommended by the AFC Competitions Committee and ratified by the AFC Executive Committee on March 25, 2008.

Additionally, if Iraq qualify for the fourth round, they will be placed in position 5 (five) of the group so that they do not have to play on Match Day 10 which falls on June 17, 2009. This is to avoid a clash with the FIFA Confederations Cup schedule (June 14-28, 2009) in which Iraq will represent the continent as Asian champions. An updated draw mechanism will be published in case Iraq qualify.

THE DRAW MECHANISM

POT 1
- Rank 1
- Rank 2

POT 2
- Rank 3
- Rank 4

POT 3
- Rank 5
- Rank 6

POT 4
- Rank 7
- Rank 8
- Rank 9
- Rank 10

Step 1: Teams will be divided into 4 pots according to ranking. Ranking will be based on the 2006 FIFA World Cup as approved by FIFA.
(Note: In the event that Japan and Saudi Arabia qualify, there will first be a draw to separate Japan and Saudi Arabia as they are currently tied fourth. First ball drawn will be put into Pot 2 as the 4th ranked team.)

Step 2: Teams to be drawn out of Pot 4. First ball drawn into position A5; second ball drawn into position B5, third ball drawn into position A4; fourth ball drawn into position B4

Step 3: Teams to be drawn out of Pot 3. First ball drawn into position A3; second ball drawn into position B3

Step 4: Teams to be drawn out of Pot 2. First ball drawn into position A2; second ball drawn into position B2

Step 5: Teams to be drawn out of Pot 1. First ball drawn into position A1; second ball drawn into position B1

MATCH SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE)
TWO GROUPS OF FIVE: HOME AND AWAY

MD 1: September 6, 2008 - 3 v 2, 5 v 4 (1 bye)
MD 2: September 10, 2008 - 4 v 1; 5 v 3 (2 bye)
MD 3: October 15, 2008 - 1 v 5; 2 v 4 (3 bye)
MD 4: November 19, 2008 - 5 v 2; 3 v 1 (4 bye)
MD 5: February 11, 2009 - 4 v 3; 2 v 1 (5 bye)
MD 6: March 28, 2009 - 2 v 3, 4 v 5 (1 bye)
MD 7: April 1, 2009 - 1 v 4; 3 v 5 (2 bye)
MD 8: June 6, 2009 - 5 v 1; 4 v 2 (3 bye)
MD 9: June 10, 2009 - 2 v 5; 1 v 3 (4 bye)
MD 10: June 17, 2009 - 3 v 4; 1 v 2 (5 bye)