Group A: Korea Republic down IR Iran to top table

After dominating the first 45 minutes at Seoul World Cup Stadium, Korea opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time through Son Heung-min before Kim Young-gwon doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute with the goal that ultimately killed off the Iranian challenge.

The victory meant Korea claimed a first win over Iran in more than a decade as they also dealt the Iranians their first defeat in Group A to mean they go into their final game away to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday knowing three more points would see them win the group.

Defeat for the home side means the United Arab Emirates need a point from their remaining two games to advance to the playoff stage, while Lebanon’s slender hope would require them to win their final match and wait for other results to go their way.

In stark contrast to the reverse fixture that saw Lebanon win 3-2, Syria took the game by the scruff of the neck from the get-go, clinically converting their chances in the first half and consigning The Cedars to defence for most of it.

After dominating the first 45 minutes at Seoul World Cup Stadium, Korea opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time through Son Heung-min before Kim Young-gwon doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute with the goal that ultimately killed off the Iranian challenge.

The victory meant Korea claimed a first win over Iran in more than a decade as they also dealt the Iranians their first defeat in Group A to mean they go into their final game away to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday knowing three more points would see them win the group.

Following a first half of few chances in the Vietnamese capital, it was Branko Ivankovic’s Oman who netted decisively 20 minutes after the restart when Al Hajri headed home a corner from the right.

The win for Oman leaves them comfortably in fourth place in the standings ahead of their Matchday Ten meeting with fifth-placed China PR in Muscat on Tuesday, while bottom side Vietnam will round off their campaign away to Japan.

Saleh Al Shehri put the Saudis, who had been confirmed as qualifying for the FIFA World Cup due to Japan’s win over Australia earlier in the day, in front in first half injury time before Zhu’s 82nd minute spot kick levelled the scores.

As a result the Japanese will go into Tuesday’s final round of matches with a one point lead over Saudi Arabia with Australia in third spot. China PR remain in fifth with the draw moving them onto six points from nine games.

A pair of late goals from substitute Kaoru Mitoma finally rewarded Japan on a night where they peppered the Australian goal, leaving the Socceroos in a precarious position in their own bid to reach Qatar 2022.

The result means Graham Arnold’s side will enter the playoffs in June, with wins required over the third placed side in Group A, as well as the fifth placed South American side, if they are to qualify.

Group A: Korea Republic down IR Iran to top table