AFP, Tehran :
Iran became the first team from Asia to qualify for the 2022 World Cup finals on Thursday with a 1-0 victory over Iraq as Japan and South Korea moved a step closer to Qatar.
Porto forward Medhi Taremi scored the winner after 48 minutes in Tehran to send his country through to a World Cup finals for the sixth time, and third in a row.
Iran consolidated top spot in Group A with 19 points from seven games, two points ahead of South Korea who are on the brink of qualifying after a 1-0 win over Lebanon in Sidon.
The United Arab Emirates are in third position, eight points behind the Koreans-who are missing injured Spurs star Son Heung-min-after a 2-0 win over Syria.
In Group B, Japan took a step closer to Doha with a 2-0 win over a toothless China, and are sitting second, two points behind leaders Saudi Arabia.
Australia are third, a further point behind Japan, to stay in the hunt an automatic berth with a comfortable 4-0 home win over Vietnam in Melbourne.
Only the top two are guaranteed a place at the World Cup that kicks off in Qatar in November.
There were celebrations and fireworks in Tehran after the final whistle with loud cheers from spectators as women were allowed entry to an Iran football match for the first time since October 2019.
“I am very happy. This is the first time I have attended a match at Azadi Stadium,” said a 26-year-old civil engineer who gave her name only as Mahya. She carried the national green, white and red flag, and covered her head with a grey scarf.
