* Iran win 1-0 in Ulsan to qualify for Brazil finals
* Koreans also through on goal difference over Uzbekistan
June 18 (Reuters) – Iran produced a resolute defensive display to snatch a 1-0 away win over South Korea on Tuesday and qualify for the World Cup finals in Brazil.
Despite the defeat, the Koreans also qualified for the finals after they edged Uzbekistan – 5-1 winners over Qatar on Tuesday – for the runners-up spot on goal difference.
Forward Reza Ghoochannejhad was Iran’s hero, latching on to an error by defender Kim Young-gwon to score the winner in the 60th minute with the visitors’ only real chance of a one-sided match in Ulsan.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz punched the air in delight at the final whistle after their third qualifying win in June sealed a fourth finals appearance.
The under-pressure Portuguese had traded verbal volleys before Tuesday’s Group A clash with Korean counterpart Choi Kang-Hee, who had vowed to beat Iran and force them to watch the World Cup on television after being “badly treated” in the reverse fixture in Tehran last year.
Choi’s side showed the same intent by making a fast start at the Ulsan Football Stadium, with lanky striker Kim Shin-wook going close to giving them a fifth-minute lead, but his volley flew just over the bar.
Kim was part of an attacking lineup employed by Choi with Son Heung-min, Lee Dong-gook and Ji Dong-won all starting, but the home side were guilty of using too many long balls for the tall striker rather than mixing up their play.
Iran knew a draw was likely to be enough to qualify unless Uzbekistan could score a four-goal win over Qatar, so they chose to sit back and allow Korea plenty of possession. But the home side failed to create many chances.
The Koreans had a strong appeal for a penalty five minutes before halftime, when midfielder Lee Myung-joo raced clear only to be brought down by Iran fullback Khosro Heydari and goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi, but the referee awarded a goal kick.
Korea were sluggish at the start of the second half, and Iran grew in confidence before taking a shock lead.
Korea defender Kim Young-gwon missed his kick as he attempted a back-pass to his keeper, and Ghoochannejhad raced through to curl home a left-foot shot.
Choi introduced AFC player of the year Lee Keun-ho as the hosts searched for an equaliser against an Iran team that had conceded just two goals in their previous seven qualifiers.
Kim Young-gwon came close to making up for his error when he fired a sharp shot in the 76th minute that was well saved by Ahmadi, while his glancing header two minutes from time sailed just wide.
Substitute Lee had half the stadium on their feet thinking he had scored a 94th-minute leveller but his header edged past the far post with Ahmadi motionless.
While the Iranians celebrated, the Korean players waited for news of Uzbekistan, who cruised past Qatar 5-1 but ultimately fell two goals short of overhauling Korea on goal difference, allowing them to rejoice at a ninth World Cup finals appearance.
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S Koreans angry over Iran victory
June 18 2013 at 07:25pm
By SAPA
Ulsan, South Korea – Hundreds of fans hurled bottles and debris on to the pitch Tuesday as Iran beat hosts South Korea 1-0 to reach the World Cup after an angry build-up involving taunts from both teams.
Iran scored in the second half and against the run of play to qualify top of Group A and give South Korea some nervous moments before they also went through on goal difference following Uzbekistan’s 5-1 win over Qatar.
As the Iranian players grabbed national flags and celebrated on the pitch at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, angry home fans threw plastic water bottles and other items.
The scenes brought an unsavoury end to a game already tainted by some unusually harsh trash talk, after South Korea pledged to “make life painful” for Iran and to force their captain to cry “tears of blood”.
In return, Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz called the comments “shameful” and accused South Korea of taking it easy in their 1-0 loss to Uzbekistan, in a bid to keep his team out of the World Cup.
This week, pictures circulated on Twitter of the former Manchester United assistant boss wearing a picture of Choi Kang-Hee, his South Korean rival, taped to his T-shirt, in an apparent joke.
But despite the acrimonious build-up, the game started in tepid fashion.
Ex-Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong-Gook tested Rahman Ahmadi with a stinging attempt from distance and Son Heung-Min fired over in the 21st minute, but any goal would have been disallowed as the referee blew for a foul by Kim Shin-Wook.
South Korea were firmly on top without creating clear chances, and Lee Myung-Joo’s penalty shout, when he was clattered on the edge of the box on 40 minutes, was one of their best opportunities of the first half.
Iran started the second period with more ambition and on the hour, they were suddenly in front thanks to a defensive howler from Kim Young-Gwon and the alert thinking of Reza Ghoochannejhad.
Defender Kim failed to make a simple clearance on the right touchline and had his pocket picked by Ghoochannejhad, who scampered goalwards and bent a left-footed shot around Jung Sung-Ryong.
South Korea pressed desperately for the equaliser and Kim Young-Gwon nearly made amends for his mistake when he put a free header wide near the end. Lee Keun-Ho also nearly headed the leveller in injury time.
However the Taeguk Warriors clung on to Group B’s second automatic qualifying spot on goal difference, despite Uzbekistan’s 5-1 win over Qatar in Tashkent, which finished a few minutes later.
“It was a very difficult match. We knew that we played a great team,” Queiroz said. “My team played with a realistic approach, to try and wait for a weak point in the Korean team and with a counter-attacking attitude.
“The goal came in one of those situations and fortunately, when Korea created opportunities, our players fought for our lives. The team played with fantastic team spirit with great practical discipline and enormous determination.”
South Korea’s Choi, who is now stepping down from the job, preferred not to comment on his row with Queiroz and said he hoped the team could now “start anew”.
“I take the full responsibility for this result. Even though we’re going to the World Cup, I think we have to start anew,” he said. “I hope this defeat will serve as the opportunity for South Korean football to take the next step.” – Sapa-AFP
