SAITAMA (Japan), March 30: Iran coach Branko Ivankovic claimed his players’ lives were in danger after their 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in North Korea on Wednesday.

Iran’s victory meant they took the outright lead in their Asian World Cup qualifying group but their joy was soured by a rare outbreak of crowd violence in Pyongyang.

Meanwhile, Japan kept the pressure on Iran but the Asian champions needed an own goal to edge past a determined Bahrain 1-0 at home.

Iran top Group B in the final round of Asian qualifiers with seven points from three matches. Japan, who suffered a 2-1 defeat in Tehran last week, have six.

Bahrain have four points while North Korea’s hopes of qualifying for their second World Cup are in tatters after three consecutive losses.

In Group A, 2002 World Cup semifinalists South Korea overcame Uzbekistan 2-1 at home to get their campaign back on track after defeat in Saudi Arabia last Friday.

North Korean soldiers and police were hastily mobilised to restore order among a crowd of 60,000 after a refereeing decision sparked ugly scenes at Kim Il-sung Stadium.

The match officials were unable to leave the pitch for 20 minutes after the game as angry fans hurled bottles, rocks and chairs.—Reuters

Iran 2 North Korea 0

Japan 1 Bahrain 0

S. Korea 2 Uzbekistan 1