(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Asian giants Iran yesterday retained their top position by beating Qatar 1-0 in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying game at Al Sadd Stadium.
Mehdi Taremi struck the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute as the visitors - coached by Carlos Quieroz - picked up their second win against Iran in recent months.
Forward Karim Ansari's neat through ball found Taremi in ample space inside the Qatari box. The Persepolis striker made no mistake with his finish as the ball slipped past the Qatar goalkeeper.
Iran now have 14 points from six games whereas sixth-placed Qatar - coached by Jorge Fossati - have only 4 points after six games.
Korea are in second spot (10 points) followed by third-placed Uzbekistan (9 points) and Syria (8 points) in fourth place. China are in fifth spot with 5 points.
In a game of fumbled up chances, Qatar striker Rodrigo Tabata yesterday missed a couple of chances to score when his booming free-kicks narrowly missed the Iran goalpost in the first half.
Fellow striker Sebastian Soria failed to connect with his header off a Tabata free-kick in the 26th minute of the match.
Despite the misses Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb presented a good exhibition in the game - he twice produced quality saves before half-time to deny Iranian forward Sardar Azmoun.
Earlier yesterday, China beat South Korea while Syria stunned Uzbekistan 1-0 in two Group A matches.
In Group B Asian Zone qualifying matches, Iraq fought back for a 1-1 draw against Australia while Japan crushed the UAE 2-0.
Saudi Arabia yesterday eased past Thailand 3-0 in another Group B match.
Qatar take on Uzbekistan on March 28.
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