Iran clinch World Cup finals place


Iran became the second team to qualify for next year's FIFA World Cup™ finals with a comfortable 1-0 home victory over Gulf rivals Bahrain on Wednesday.

Japan were the first team to clinch a spot alongside 2006 hosts Germany with victory over Korea DPR earlier on Wednesday and Iran joined them after a confident performance.

Across Tehran, hundreds of thousands of fans poured on to the streets to celebrate, setting off firecrackers, blowing whistles and waving national flags.

Iran only needed a point to reach their third FIFA World Cup finals but defender Mohammad Nosrati gave them a psychological cushion with a firm header two minutes into the second half.

Mehdi Mahdavikia twice came close as the home side continued to dominate but Nosrati's effort proved to be enough.

The 90,000 crowd at the Azadi Stadium erupted in delight at the final whistle as fireworks illuminated the night sky.

Scores of fans ran on to the pitch clutching flags before stewards regained control. One banner read "Long live Iran, Hello Germany".

"I congratulate all my fellow Iranians," said goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour. "God willing we'll make Iran proud of us in the World Cup. All our hard work paid off."

Iran previously qualified for the finals in 1978 and 1998. Victory over Bahrain sent them back to the top of Group B with 13 points from five games, one more than Japan.

Bahrain will finish third in Group B after the North Koreans' defeat and will contest a two-legged play-off with the third-placed team in Group A.

The winner of that contest will play the fourth-placed team in the CONCACAF zone for a place in Germany. The top two from the two Asian groups qualify automatically.

Iran's final group game is away to Japan on 17 August.