SINGAPORE: Three-time champions Iran cruised into the 2015 Asian Cup finals after thrashing Lebanon 4-1 yesterday, but China missed the chance to join them and face a nerve-jangling final qualifier after being held to a goalless draw by Saudi Arabia.
World Cup-bound Iran were one of five teams to qualify for the finals from the nine matches played in the penultimate round yesterday, with fellow west Asian sides Qatar, Oman and Kuwait also securing berths, as well as Uzbekistan.
Twelve teams have now booked a place at the 16-team finals in Australia, with few big-name casualties apart from in Group C, where 2007 winners Iraq or China will battle it out in March to decide who joins Saudi Arabia in escaping the group.
China will feel they should already be planning an 11th consecutive appearance in the Asian showpiece event, but they could not find a way past a stubborn Saudi backline in Xi’an. China have eight points from five games in the group, two ahead of Iraq, who kept their finals hopes alive by easing to a 2-0 win in Indonesia.
“We need to learn how to convert dominance into a winning situation. I hope we can make it in the last game,” China’s caretaker coach, Fu Bo, told reporters.
Hammadi Ahmed scored with a powerful downward header and Kerrar Jassim coolly converted a penalty as the visitors were able to turn their attentions to a home match against China.
“The result of China’s game means a lot for us,” Iraq coach Hakeem Shakir told reporters.
The best third-place side across the five qualifying groups will also secure a berth, meaning all might not be lost for the loser, with Iraq currently holding that position.
They are just ahead of Lebanon, whose automatic chances were crushed in a 4-1 loss at home to Iran in Group B.
Central defender Amir Hossein Sadeghi headed home a corner from the left just before halftime, with Ashkan Dejagah drilling in a second in the 51st minute.
Captain Javad Nekounam slotted a penalty before Reza Ghoochannejhad continued his strong scoring form to make it 4-0 in a match that was played without fans following a double suicide bombing near the Iranian embassy in Beirut earlier yesterday.
The result in the Lebanese capital helped Kuwait seal a place in Australia after they beat bottom side Thailand 3-1 at home to move on to nine points from five matches, four behind Iran and four clear of Lebanon.
Oman struck a 91st-minute winner to beat ‘home side’ Syria 1-0 in a poor quality Group A clash in Tehran. The UAE made it five wins from five in Group E with a 5-0 thrashing of 10-man Vietnam, while Bahrain eased to a 2-0 success over Yemen in Group D to remain a point clear of Qatar. REUTERS
