Iran, Iraq, Oman, South Korea and China all advanced to next year's Asian Cup on Wednesday, assuring themselves a place in the finals and leaving two berths up for grabs with one round of qualifying remaining.
Iran beat Taiwan 2-0 and South Korea drew with Syria 1-1 to settle the berths from Group B while Iraq toppled Singapore 4-2 and China won 2-0 at Palestine to determine Group E.
Oman outlasted the United Arab Emirates 2-1 to join the Emirates as the second qualifier from Group C, all adding to Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia and Qatar in the field of 16 along with co-hosts Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.
PHOTO: AP
The top two teams from each of the six qualifying groups earn places in the July 7 to July 29 finals along with the four co-hosts.
Australia, which had already secured its spot in the finals, dominated an under-strength Bahrain 2-0 to finish atop Group D, while Uzbekistan virtually assured itself of a place with a 4-0 thrashing of Bangladesh.
Cho Jae-jin's header in the ninth minute off a Choi Sung-kuk cross was enough for South Korea at Seoul World Cup Stadium, squashing Syria's hopes.
Syria equalized nine minutes later when Korean goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang fumbled his clearance and allowed forward Maher Al Said to circle him and score from a tight angle.
Ali Karimi scored twice to pace Iran at Taipei and assure his country of its 11th Asian Cup appearance. Taiwan fell to 0-5 and has been outscored 21-0.
The Bayern Munich midfielder scored in the 11th minute and 57th minutes to send it along with South Korea from Group B.
Younis Mahmoud scored once in each half and helped rally Iraq, guaranteeing it a fourth straight appearance in the Asian Cup.
The victory in the United Arab Emirates moved it atop Group E with 10 points.
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