Tehran, Iran – Iran on Thursday became the first team in Asia to qualify for the 2022 World Cup final with a 1-0 win over Iraq as Japan and South Korea moved one step closer to Qatar.
Porto forward Medhi Taremi won after 48 minutes in Tehran to send her country to a World Cup final for the sixth time and third in a row.
Iran topped Group A with 19 points from seven matches, two points ahead of South Korea, who are on the verge of qualifying after a 1-0 win over Lebanon in Sidon.
The United Arab Emirates are third after a 2-0 win over Syria, eight points behind the Koreans – who are missing injured Spurs star Son Heung-min.
In Group B, Japan moved a step closer to Doha with a 2-0 win over Toothless China and are in second place, two points behind leaders Saudi Arabia.
Australia are in third place, one more point behind Japan, to be looking for an automatic berth with a comfortable 4-0 win over Vietnam in Melbourne.
Only the top two players are guaranteed a place in the World Cup starting in November in Qatar.
After the final whistle, there was celebration and fireworks in Tehran and the audience applauded women allowed entry In a football match in Iran for the first time since October 2019.
“I am overjoyed. This is the first time I have participated in a match at Azadi Stadium,” said a 26-year-old civil engineer, who gave him only the name Mahaya. He waved the national green, white and red flag, and held his own. He covered his head with a brown scarf.
World football’s governing body FIFA ordered Iran in September 2019 to allow women access to a set number of stadiums without any restrictions and based on ticket demand.
Iran extended their impressive unbeaten run under Croatia’s head coach Dragan Skosic to 11 wins and a draw, with their second win over Iraq en route to Qatar.
The Iraqis struggled for momentum and failed to break the famous Iranian defence, with the hosts clearly leading the way in front of their home fans.
Taremi, who only joined his COVID-hit squad in Tehran on Thursday, assisted Alireza Jahanbaksh after sending the break in a right-footed shot from inside the box.
Mehdi Taremi of Iran is seen in reaction during the 2022 Qatar World Cup Asian Qualifier football match between Iran and Iraq at Azadi Sports Complex in the capital Tehran on January 27, 2022. (Atta Canare/AFP)
At Saitama, Yuya Osako buried four-time Asian champions Japan in a first-half penalty, before Junya Ito doubled his lead after the break.
Japan were missing half their regular defense against China, with captain Maya Yoshida and Arsenal full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu both missing due to injury.
But the home team took the lead in the 13th minute after Chinese defender Wang Shenchao blocked Ito’s cross, but hit the ball with his hand.
Osako made no mistake from the spot and the hosts took their advantage in the 61st minute when Ito headed for home substitute Yuta Nakayama’s cross.
China, who were playing their first game under new manager Li Xiaopeng, saw their slim hopes of reaching the World Cup but were eliminated.
“The players gave their all but the first goal came at a bad time for us and it took us out of our rhythm,” said Lee, whose side failed to score a shot on goal.
“It had a really big impact.”
Japan’s fourth successive win kept the pressure on Saudi Arabia, which they will host next Tuesday at the same stadium.
“Tonight’s match has helped solidify our understanding as a team and it’s a big plus for us,” said Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu.
“But the Saudi game will have a different intensity and tension from tonight, and we have to be prepared to play at a higher level.”
Australia is also following.
In Melbourne, Jamie McLaren opened the scoring in the 30th minute, before Tom Rogick took second in first-half injury time.
Craig Goodwin and Riley McGree added two more after the break to secure a win for the home team, whose manager Graham Arnold was absent after testing positive for Covid-19.