Tuesday, 18th June, 2013
Former Manchester United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz has led Iran to only their second World Cup of the 21st century, after beating South Korea 1-0 in their final qualification fixture.
The two teams were separated by a point in the fourth round of their Asian qualification Group A table, with Iran in second place going into the final set of games.
And Reza Ghoochannejhad’s second half goal gave Iran a vital three points that ensured their progress to Brazil 2014 as table toppers, with South Korea also going through thanks to results elsewhere.
Third-placed Uzbekistan had to secure an improbably huge victory against Qatar, and hope that Iran would only manage a draw, but their 5-1 win was ultimately in vain.
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The Uzbeks had gone down to a first half goal from Qatar’s Abdulqadir Ilyas, but rallied back as Ulugbek Bakaev brought them level on the hour mark.
Bahodir Nasimov then fired in a brace to give Uzbekistan faint hopes of sealing progress – with Iran only leading by a goal and South Korea staging their own rally at the time.
Oleg Zoteev and Arsenal-chased Anzhi Makhachkala player Odil Akhmedov struck a goal each, but time was not on their side in the end.
Iran and South Korea will join Japan and Australia in Brazil next summer, with the Socceroos also securing qualification today thanks to a 1-0 win over Iraq.
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