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.