TEHRAN – Iran football team defeated the UAE 1-0 in Group A of the 2022 World Cup qualification on Thursday.

Mehdi Taremi scored the winning goal in the 71st minute in Dubai’s Al Wasl Stadium.

With one minute remaining, Taremi was brought down by Emirati player and Australian referee Chris Beath showed the spot but Sardar Azmoun failed to score the penalty.

Iran cemented their place at top of the group with nine points out of three matches.

Earlier in the day, South Korea defeated Syria 2-1 in Seoul and Iraq and Lebanon shared the spoils in a goalless draw.