Iranian team returns to heroes’ welcome [VIDEO]
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Loading...Tehran Times – TEHRAN, Iranian fans greeted their national football team on Wednesday, one day after they secured a place in the 2014 World Cup, and watched the players’ victory parade at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.
It was a continuation of the jubilant celebrations across the country that began on Tuesday, shortly after Iran defeated South Korea in a match in Group A of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Iran beat South Korea 1-0 at the Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan thanks to Reza Ghoochannejhad’s winning goal.
In the 59th minute, Ghoochannejhad scored from a counter attack.
In other games on Tuesday, Uzbekistan defeated Qatar 5-1 in Tashkent on Tuesday, clinching third place in Group A and a spot in the Asia playoff against Jordan, which defeated Oman 1-0 in Amman to wrap up third place in Group B.
Iran finished on top of Group A of the Asian qualifiers with 16 points. South Korea also earned a berth in the World Cup by finishing in second place in Group A with 14 points, edging past Uzbekistan, which also had 14 points, on goal difference.
In Group B, Japan, with 17 points, and Australia, with 13 points, also qualified for the World Cup.
The top two teams in Group A and Group B of Asia qualify for the World Cup directly, while the third-place teams go to a playoff, with the winner facing off against the fifth-place team of South America for a berth in the World Cup.
This is the fourth time the Iranian football team has qualified for the World Cup. Iran also went to the World Cup in 1978, 1998, and 2006.
