Iran, South Korea Qualify For World Cup

Iran's Masoud Shojaei (center) challenges South Korea's Lee Myoung-ju (left) and Kim Chang-soo during their World Cup qualifying soccer match in Ulsan.

Iran's national soccer team has defeated South Korea 1-0, a result that sends both teams to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The result of the June 18 game in Ulsan, South Korea, means that Iran finished top of Group A of the World Cup qualifiers and took one of the two automatic qualifying spots in the group.

South Korea, who took the other spot, finished second, level on points with Uzbekistan but holding on to second because of a superior goal difference.

Uzbekistan, meanwhile, beat Qatar 5-1 in Tashkent on June 18.

South Korean fans threw plastic bottles and other items as Iranian players celebrated on the pitch, and South Korea also accused Iran coach Carlos Queiroz of making an obscene gesture at his rival, and said they expected an official investigation.

Iran are at their fourth World Cup, while South Korea qualified for their eighth straight and ninth overall World Cup.

Based on reporting by dpa and AP