Iran downs Qatar in qualifier

Iran downed Qatar 1-0 on Tuesday to revive its 2014 World Cup campaign and almost surely dash the Qataris' hopes of qualifying.

After a sluggish first half, Iran dominated possession in the second and it paid off in the 66th minute when striker Rez Ghoochannejhad Nournia pounced on a deflection from midfielder Mojtaba Jabari and slotted home the winner.

Nournia almost doubled Iran's lead in the 81st but his breakway was thwarted by Qatar goalkeeper Qasem Burhan.

The victory left Iran tied for second in Asia Group A with South Korea, which played Lebanon later.

Qatar was fourth, four points behind group leader Uzbekistan, and three back of Iran. Qatar has only one match remaining while Iran and South Korea have two.