Iran qualifies for World Cup by beating Bahrain

TEHRAN - Iran qualified for next year's World Cup in Germany by beating Bahrain 1-0 in Tehran's Azadi stadium on Wednesday, earning the Iranians a spot in the finals for the third time.
The win puts Iran at the top of Asian qualifying Group B with 13 points followed by Japan with 12 points. Bahrain has four points and the North Koreans none.
The top two teams in the group gain automatic qualification, and with just one round of games left to play, Iran and Japan are mathematically certain of going through.
It also makes Iran the second team in the world to qualify. Earlier Wednesday, Japan became the first team of any region to qualify.

06/08/2005 16:30 GMT