Fifth successive clash of Iran, S. Korea

MNA – DOHA, Iran will face South Korea in the quarterfinal round of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in the fifth successive edition of this competitions.

Iran has qualified for the next stage as the top team of Group D and is scheduled to face South Korea the second place team of Group C.

Australia beat Bahrain 1-0 and topped Group C with seven points. South Korea thrashed India 4-1 but finished second on goal difference.

Iran beat South Korea 6-2 in the UAE 1996, but lost to the team 2-1(Golden Goal) in Lebanon 2000. The Iranian outfit defeated South Korea 4-3 in China 2004 in a thriller, but the Persians were eliminated by the Koreans in a penalty shoot-out in Malaysia 2007.

The two teams will face each other at the Qatar SC Stadium on Saturday.