Iran have stayed top of Asian World Cup qualifying group A despite a goalless draw with Bahrain, as the race to potentially face Ireland in a World Cup play-off hots up. Both teams observed a minute's silence before the kick-off in memory of the victims of Tuesday's terror attacks in the United States.
Bahrain produced a determined defensive performance to withstand home side Iran's strong pressure in front of 70,000 fans. This result leaves Iran top of the group with eight points from four matches, followed by Bahrain (6 points), Saudi Arabia (4 points), Iraq (3 points) and Thailand (2 points). Saudi Arabia and Thailand, who both have a game in hand, play in Bangkok tomorrow.
In World Cup Asian group B, Oman and United Arab Emirates slogged out a 1-1 draw. Both teams needed to win to revive their qualification chances. UAE took the lead in the 13th minute when unmarked striker Abdulaziz Ahmed scored with a looping shot from 25 metres. Oman were thrashed 5-0 by Uzbekistan in their last game, but midfielder Radhwan Salim grabbed a priceless equaliser for the football minnows seven minutes into the second half with a close-range header.
China (7 points) and Uzbekistan (6 points), will meet tomorrow in Shenyang in a vital top of the table clash. The other team in the group, Qatar, have five points. UAE are on now four points, while Oman prop up the rest on two points.
The winners of groups A and B will automatically qualify for next year's World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea. The two group runners-up will meet in a play-off and the winner of that play-off will almost certainly play Ireland for the right to gain a place in next year's finals.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
