UPDATE 1-Soccer-Japan, Australia, SKorea book World Cup berths

* Japan qualify first for 2010 World Cup

* South Korea, Australia also advance to South Africa

* North Korea, Saudi Arabia will battle for last direct slot

* Uphill struggle for Iran, Uzbekistan (updates after late games)

By Martin Petty

BANGKOK, June 6 (Reuters) - Japan, South Korea and Australia became the first teams to advance to the 2010 World Cup finals on Saturday, leaving just one direct qualification place still up for grabs from Asia.

Japan beat Uzbekistan 1-0 in Group One and were the first team through for the second time in a row, having also set the pace for the 2006 finals in Germany.

South Korea, the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists, outclassed already-eliminated United Arab Emirates 2-0 in their Group Two affair and reached the tournament for the seventh successive time.

Australia advanced via the Asian route for the first time after ditching Oceania two years ago.