AFP - Iran became the first team from Asia to qualify for the 2022 World Cup finals on Thursday with a 1-0 victory over Iraq as Japan and South Korea moved a step closer to Qatar. Porto forward Medhi Taremi scored the winner after 48 minutes in Tehran to send his country through to a World Cup finals for the sixth time, and third in a row. Only the top two are guaranteed a place at the World Cup that kicks off in Qatar in November. Iran extended their impressive unbeaten run under Croatian head coach Dragan Skocic with 11 wins and one draw, with their second win over Iraq on the road to Qatar. China, who were playing their first game under new manager Li Xiaopeng, saw their slim hopes of reaching the World Cup all but ended.
