[Yonhap News Photo]
South Korea have climbed to second place in their group in the Asian qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
With three matches in the books for all six teams in Group A in the final Asian qualification round, South Korea find themselves in second place behind Iran.
Both Iran and South Korea have seven points with two wins and a draw, but Iran are ahead in goal difference, plus-3 to plus-2. There were in second and third prior to Thursday's matches.
South Korea rallied to defeat Qatar 3-2 at home Thursday, while Iran defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 in Tashkent. Uzbekistan fell from first to third with two wins and a loss.
The top two teams from each of two groups in the current stage earn automatic berths to the World Cup in Russia. Third-place teams will enter playoffs for their final chance for a spot. South Korea are trying to make their ninth straight World Cup appearance.
South Korean will leave for Tehran later Friday to face Iran Tuesday. South Korea have never won in Tehran in six previous trips, with two draws and four losses.
(Yonhap)
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
