Australia frustrated in Honduras draw

Australia edged closer to a place in the 2018 World Cup finals after grinding out a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Honduras in their Asia- CONCACAF playoff on Friday.

Socceroos striker Tomi Juric missed golden chances in each half as the Australians dominated a physical Honduras side without managing to find a precious away goal at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano.

Nevertheless Ange Postecoglou's men will return to Australia for Wednesday's second leg confident of reaching a fourth consecutive World Cup after a controlled display in hot, humid conditions.

Peru held

Peru failed to break down a resolute New Zealand defence in a 0-0 draw in Wellington on Saturday, leaving their dream of ending a 36-year absence from the World Cup finals hanging by a thread.

"Los Incas" failed to score a coveted away goal despite largely outplaying New Zealand in the opening match of their two-legged World Cup play-off for a spot at next year's tournament in Russia.

Peru, ranked 10th in the world to New Zealand's 122, were the better team but lacked a cutting edge, with the absence of goal-scoring captain Paolo Guerrero, who is currently suspended over an "abnormal result" from a drugs test.

New Zealand worked tirelessly in defence and rode their luck at times, but grew in confidence as the game progressed. Peru coach Ricardo Gareca praised New Zealand's tenacity but said his side should have won and he expected a big performance in the return leg in Lima on Wednesday.