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Closing in

Iran defeats Thailand in Asian qualifier

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TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Ali Reza Vahedi Nikbakht scored the only goal as Iran closed in on qualification for its second straight World Cup finals with a 1-0 win over Thailand in an Asian qualifier.

Iran leads Group A with 12 points from six matches, just ahead of Saudi Arabia, which has 11 points from six matches.

Cheered on by about 70,000 fans at the Azadi stadium, Iran started the game with relentless offensive attacks, but the tight Thailand defense denied Iran numerous chances in the first 30 minutes.

Iranian midfielder Vahedi Nikbakht scored from inside the box after midfielder Ali Karimi sent him a neat back pass in the 32nd minute.

Thailand showed itself to be dangerous on the counterattack, but Iran applied continuous pressure with long shots from captain Ali Daei and striker Ali Samereh.

Also in Group A, Thailand, which has never qualified for the World Cup, is in last place with three points. Iraq is in third place with seven points and Bahrain is fourth with six points.

The two Asian group winners qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan. The two runners-up play a two-leg playoff series, with the winner facing a European team for another spot in soccer's biggest tournament.

South Korea and Japan qualify as hosts.

Saudi Arabia beats Iraq 2-1

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) -- Abdullah Shihan scored in the first and 40th minutes Friday as Saudi Arabia took back the Group A lead with a 2-1 win over Iraq in an Asian World Cup qualifier.

Iran, which beat Thailand 1-0 earlier Friday, briefly held the group lead but still has a game in hand. Saudi Arabia has one game remaining, against bottom-place Thailand, while Iran has two matches to go, against Iraq and Bahrain

Saudi Arabia has 14 points from seven matches while Iran, trying to reach its second straight World Cup finals, is in second place with 12 points from six matches.

Abdul-Wahab Abul-Hail scored for Iraq in the 32nd minute.

The two Asian group winners qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan. The two runners-up play a two-leg playoff series, with the winner facing a European team for another spot in soccer's biggest tournament.

South Korea and Japan qualify as hosts.

 

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