Saudi World Cup hopes shine after winning in Iran

Saudi Arabia collected a precious three points in Tehran’s Azadi stadium after beating Asia’s other powerhouse Iran 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier here Saturday.

Iran, seeking a fourth appearance in the finals, now ranks fourth place in Group B with six points from five games while Saudis climbed the ladder with seven points out of five matches.

The two Asian powerhouses played in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium with almost all the seats of 100,000-seat stadium being filled with enthusiastic home fans chanting: “As always Iran wins again,” and waving Iranian flags.

However, their hopes were shattered with this loss, which left the Iranians on six points from five matches – four off the pace, while the Saudis leapfrogged them into third spot.

Iran drew first blood in the 56th minute when Masoud Shojaei of Spain’s Osasuna fired home a screamer from outside the penalty area to send the home crowd wild.

However, defensive mix-ups cost the Iranians as the Saudis suddenly turned things around.

Al-Hazazi scored in the 78th minute from inside the box off a pass from Naif al-Dusari, and Osama al-Harbi scored in the 87th minute, stunning the fans into silence, with some spectators chanting slogans against Iranian national team coach Ali Daei and demanding his sacking.

Iranian President who is an avid football player and fan entered the stadium on the 30th minutes amid crowd cheers.

Earlier Saturday, North Korea managed a 2-0 win over Group B tailenders the United Arab Emirates in Pyongyang.

The North Koreans now top Group B in Asian qualifying with 10 points from five games, two points ahead of arch-rivals South Korea, whom they play in Seoul on Wednesday in a grudge match.

Asia has four automatic berths in the finals in South Africa in 2010 while the third-place teams in the two final Asian qualifiers will play each other for the right to take on Oceania zone victors New Zealand for a place in the finals.

Iran appeared in the World Cup finals in 1978, 1998 and 2006 but their only win to date was over the United States in France in 1998.