Iran qualify for World Cup in style by defeating South Korea [VIDEO]

Persianfootball.com – ULSAN, Team Melli will play at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after again defeating South Korea 1-0, this time in Ulsan, to storm on top of the group on the final matchday.

Reza Ghoochannajhad once more was the hero when he capitalized on a Korean defensive error at the hourmark and after heroic defending, Iran earned their fourth ever World Cup appearance after 1978, 1998 and 2006.

The win was necessary because of Qatar’s embarassing 1-5 loss in Uzbekistan.

In the end Korea boss Choi Kang-Hee even risked direct qualification of his own team with his personal vendetta against Iran and a therefore uncalled ultra offensive lineup, in the end sneaking narrowly through on goal-difference while
Uzbekistan will now have to try their luck in the playoffs against either Oman or Jordan.

Attacking versus clever football

The story of the game is quickly told, Iran with the defensive version of the 4-2-3-1 which had been used in the 1-0 win in Doha two weeks ago, was often just second best and looked rather nervous, while Korea dominated the proceeding but remained rather harmless in front of goal.

With the homeside pushing forward more and more, despite a draw being enough for them to top the group and qualify for World Cup, the space for the Iranian attackers got wider and wider.

After 59 minutes, the long awaited individual error from young defender Kim Young-Gwon granted Reza Ghoochannejhad a so called 100%er which the Standard Liege goalgetter converted with ease.

Iran defended with dedication and passion until the final whistle and only once had to rely on goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi’s amazing reflexes, when the Saipa Karaj goalkeeper saved two close range efforts after a freekick to become one of many Iranian heroes in this successful campaign.

Ahmadi had been lucky in first half though when he apparently fouled a Korean striker, robbing him of a scoring opportunity, which might have resulted in a red card.

After 94 minutes Iran and their manager Carlos Queiroz could celebrate a historic win on Korean soil, while the Koreans anxiously were waiting for the final whistle in Tashkent.

Korea boss Choi Kang-Hee, who had repeatedly insulted the Iranian nation before the match and almost risked his country’s qualification over his emotions, will most likely get the boot from the Korean federation now – and watch the World Cup from his home, something he had vowed about Queiroz before the match.

South Korea – Iran 0-1 (0-0)
AFC World Cup qualifier, fourth round, Ulsan

Goal: 0-1 Reza Ghoochannejhad (59′)

Iran’s lineup: Ahmadi – Montazeri, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Beikzadeh – Teymourian, Nekounam – Heydari (70′ Rezaei), Jabbari, Shojaei (83′ Hajsafi) – Ghoochannejhad (90′ Hatami)

Iranian players booked: Teymourian, Hajsafi

You can watch the goals from PFDC TV