Korea Republic were held to a 1-1 draw by Iran at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on Tuesday, failing to reduce the deficit behind the Group A leaders in the final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The result means that Paulo Bento’s side, with two wins and two draws, are still two points adrift of the Team Melli, who have racked up ten points with three wins and a draw in four matches. Korea Republic had never beaten Iran on the road, recording two draws and five defeats in eight previous encounters between the sides.

The visitors were determined to change all that, however, with an attack-minded approach spearheaded by a formidable trio of Hwang Uijo, Son Heungmin and Hwang Heechan up front; Lee Jaesung and Hwang Inbeom were deployed to support the three-pronged attack, with Jung Wooyoung in central midfield; Hong Chul, Kim Younggwon, Kim Minjae and Lee Yong at the back; and goalkeeper Kim Seunggyu.

After exchanging salvoes in a nervy start to the match, the men in red slowly began to seize control whilst the hosts were forced to sit back and wait for their chances to counter.

The Iranians launched a series of counterattacks midway through the first half, with Sardar Azmoun in particular looking dangerous in front of goal. But the Korean rearguard proved too strong for the hosts to break into, as goalkeeper Kim Seunggyu and centre back Kim Minjae were in meticulous form.

Hwang Inbeom and Son tried their luck from distance as the half wore on, and at the opposite end, Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi force fine saves from Kim Seunggyu on the stroke of half time.

The visitors regrouped during the interval, and then took a deserved lead three minute into the second half. Lee Jaesung put Son through on goal with only Alireza Beiranvand to beat, and with a clinical finish the captain scored Korea Republic’s first goal in 12 years at the Azadi since 2009.

Korea Republic kept up the pressure after opening the deadlock, whilst the Iranians fought back to equalise as the battle intensified. Saeid Ezatolahi saw his audacious effort rattle the woodwork on 67 minutes.

The hosts took complete control midway through the second half, as the Taegeuk Warriors found themselves on the back foot. Bento responded by bringing Kim Jinsu on for Hong to reinforce the left flank, but that was not enough to keep the Iranians at bay. Alireza Jahanbakhsh drew level with a towering header off an Azmoun cross, before Taremi hit the upright with a ferocious effort from distance.

The visitors went all out on attack in search of a late winner, with substitutes Na Sangho and Lee Donggyeong tirelessly marauding on both flanks. However, Na’s curling effort from the edge of the area was denied by Beiranvand deep into added time, as the showdown in Tehran ended in a stalemate.

AFC Asian Qualifiers Final Round for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Group A

Iran 1-1 Korea Republic

Scorers: Son Heungmin 48’, Jahanbakhsh 76’

KOR: Kim Seunggyu; Hong Chul (Kim Jinsu 70’), Kim Younggwon, Kim Minjae, Lee Yong; Jung Wooyoung, Hwang Inbeom; Lee Jaesung (Lee Donggyeong 81’), Hwang Heechan, Son Heungmin; Hwang Uijo (Na Sangho 81’)