Iran became the second Asian heavyweight to qualify for next year’s World Cup thanks to a 1-0 win over Bahrain on Wednesday night.
The victory, courtesy of Mohammad Nostrati’s header a minute into the second half, takes Branko Ivankovic side to the top of Group A with 13 points, one ahead of Japan, who also secured qualification to Germany with a 2-0 win over DPK Korea earlier in the evening.




Bahrain 0 - IRAN 0
IRAN 2 - Japan 1
Korea DPR 0 - IRAN 2
IRAN 1 - Korea DPR 0
IRAN 1 - Bahrain 0 ........... Iran became qualified
Japan .. - IRAN ..


IRAN 13Pts
Japan 12Pts
Bahrain 4Pts
Korea DPR 0Pts