Iran close to World Cup finals place

Iran's win in Baghdad over Iraq sees them only one win away from the 2002 World Cup finals after a late goal from veteran striker Ali Daei.

The Iranians lead group A by two points from Bahrain and a win over the unbeaten Bahrain team in Tehran next Friday should see the theme through as group winners.

Iran could at least find themselves in a play-off against the group B second-place team and then either Portugal or the Irish Republic if they now lose form badly as only group A winners go through automatically to Korea and Japan.

But the manner of this tense win on Baghdad suggests Iran will make the finals. Iran left it late but managed to come from behind in front of a sell-out 60,000 crowd.

Imad Mohamed was put clear with a header in the 20th minute and hit the dropping ball into the net but Ali Karimi equalized on the half hour when he found space to meet a cross.

Ali Daei hit the winner for Iran with six minutes left when he hit a low drive for Miroslav Blazevic's team to come through their toughest test.