DOHA: Table-toppers Iran on Thursday retained their top position by
beating Qatar 1-0 in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying game at Al
Sadd Stadium.

Mehdi Taremi struck the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute as
the visitors – coached by Carlos Quieroz – picked up their second win
against Qatar in recent months.

Iran now have 14 points from six games whereas sixth-placed Qatar –
coached by Jorge Fossati – have only 4 points after six games.

Korea are in second spot (10 points) followed by third-placed
Uzbekistan (9 points) and Syria (8 points) in fourth place. China are
in fifth spot with 5 points.

In a game of fumbled up chances, Qatar talisman Rodrigo Tabata on
Thursday missed a couple of chances to score when his booming
free-kicks narrowly missed the Iran goalpost in the first half.

Fellow striker Sebastian Soria failed to connect with his header off a
Tabata free-kick i the 26th minute of the match.

Earlier on Thursday, China beat South Korea while Syria stunned
Uzbekistan 1-0 in two Group A matches.

In Group B Asian Zone qualifying matches, Iraq fought back for a 1-1
draw against Australia while Japan crushed the UAE 2-0.

Saudi Arabia on Thursday eased past Thailand 3-0 in another Group B
match.

Qatar take on Uzbekistan on March 28.