TEHRAN: Iran moved to the cusp of a fourth consecutive World Cup appearance as heavily-interrupted 2-0 win at home to the United Arab Emirates in Tehran left them one point away from securing their place at next year’s finals.

Iran have 19 points in Group ‘A’ with the victory allowing them to stay three clear of Uzbekistan, who beat Kyrgyzstan 1-0. The UAE and Asian Cup holders Qatar, who beat North Korea 5-1, both have 10 points.

After the match had to be halted for 29 minutes when one of the floodlights failed at the Azadi Sports Complex, Emirates-based striker Sardar Azmoun opened the scoring in the 27th minute of first-half stoppage time.

Mohammad Mohebi added the second with 20 minutes remaining to leave Iran needing only a draw on Tuesday with Uzbekistan to book their ticket to the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year.

The top two from each of the three six-team groups in the third round of Asian qualifying advance to the 2026 World Cup while the third and fourth-placed teams advance to another stage to compete for two more places.

Saudi Arabia climbed into third place in Group ‘C’, one point behind second-placed Australia and 10 behind already-qualified Japan, as Salem Al-Dawsari scored his side’s first goal in five qualifiers for a 1-0 win to see off 10-man China, who had Lin Liangmin sent off in first-half injury time in Riyadh.

Jordan leapfrogged Iraq into second place via goal difference in Group ‘B’ thanks to a 3-1 victory against still-winless Palestine in Amman.

Iraq are level on 12 points after a last-gasp 2-2 draw in Basra with Kuwait. The home side were 2-0 down but added-time goals from Akam Hashim and Ibrahim Bayesh cancelled out Yousef Al-Sulaiman’s double for the visitors.

Oman are fourth, on seven points. South Korea lead the section on 15 points.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2025