Perennial World Cup individuals Iran grew to become the second Asian aspect to safe their place at subsequent yr’s world showpiece after twice coming from behind to attract 2-2 with Uzbekistan in Tehran on Tuesday.
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Iran, the second-highest ranked AFC aspect within the FIFA standings, wanted solely some extent to affix Japan in qualifying for the finals in america, Canada and Mexico.
The Group A leaders have been made to work exhausting on the Azadi Stadium by upward-trending Uzbekistan, with Mehdi Taremi scoring seven minutes from time – his second of the match – to seal the purpose.
Looking for to qualify for a primary World Cup, Uzbekistan opened the scoring on 16 minutes by means of Khojimat Erkinov, earlier than Inter Milan striker Taremi scored his first of the evening shortly after half time.
Parity lasted just one minute, with Abbosbek Fayzullaev restoring Uzbekistan’s lead.
Once more, Taremi was the person to tug his crew again into the sport and finally e book a spot in North America, when he completed previous goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov late on.
Iran shall be showing at a fourth successive World Cup.
Uzbekistan stay heading in the right direction for an inaugural look on the finals.
Sitting second on 17 factors, a win in June both away to third-placed UAE or at residence to Qatar, in fourth, shall be sufficient, although they might e book their place sooner.
The UAE, locked on 10 factors with Qatar, tackle backside crew North Korea afterward Tuesday. A defeat for the UAE will ship Uzbekistan to the finals.
The highest two go straight to the World Cup, with groups ending third and fourth within the three Asian teams getting into an additional spherical of qualifying.
Earlier on Tuesday, Australia beat China 2-0 to spice up their possibilities of computerized qualification, however Saudi Arabia stayed in contact in Group C with a goalless attract Japan.
In Asian Group B, Son Heung-min’s South Korea stay high and favourites to progress, however they put in one other toothless efficiency as they have been held at residence for the second match in a row – this time 1-1 by Jordan.
Australia’s victory, courtesy of first-half targets from Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay, left the Socceroos second in Group C on 13 factors with two to play, three factors forward of Saudi Arabia with a significantly better objective distinction. Japan are already certain to complete high.
Australia host Japan and journey to Saudi Arabia for his or her last qualifiers in June, leaving the race for the second direct qualification place on a knife edge. China keep backside on six factors, however they’ll progress to an additional qualifying stage by ending third or fourth.
Indonesia moved into fourth on 9 factors due to a 1-0 win over Bahrain.
Oxford United ahead Ole Romeny scored his second objective in as many video games to provide Netherlands and Barcelona nice Patrick Kluivert his first victory since changing into supervisor.
South Korea drew 1-1 with second-placed Jordan in Suwon after registering the identical scoreline towards Oman final week.
Two wins would have seen South Korea qualify with two matches to spare.
They face a tough away journey to Iraq in June and a last residence conflict towards Kuwait, needing 4 factors to make certain of progressing with out having to depend on different outcomes.
Jordan are three factors behind South Korea, however Iraq can leapfrog them and shut the hole to at least one level on the high of Group B in the event that they beat Palestine in Amman later.
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