S. Korea, Iran finish out World Cup qualifiers with a draw

Iran's national team came back with a goal in the match\'s 76th minute to tie up the score

South Korea's Lee Jae-sung heads the ball during a match against Iran’s national team held on Tuesday in Tehran, Iran, in the final qualifying round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. (Yonhap News)

South Korea\

Son Heung-min's goal seemed to break the national men's soccer team's jinx against Iran, but Team Melli, Asia's top team, proved itself to be a wall too high to overcome.

Led by head coach Paulo Bento, the Taegeuk Warriors failed to preserve the lead Son had given them on Tuesday at Tehran's Azadi Stadium, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw. This was the fourth Group A match for both teams in the final qualifiers for next year's World Cup, which is set to be held in Qatar.

img src='http://flexible.img.hani.co.kr/flexible/normal/970/1375/imgdb/original/2021/1013/4516341139670522.jpg' alt='South Korea\'s Lee Jae-sung heads the ball during a match against Iran’s national team held on Tuesday in Tehran, Iran, in the final qualifying round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. (Yonhap News)' />

At two wins and two draws (eight points), South Korea remained second in the group behind Iran’s three wins and one draw (10 points), with Korea trailing Iran in their all-time series with nine wins, 10 draws and 13 losses. Thus, the jinx continued for Korea against Iran in the Iranian capital.

Teammates congratulate Son Heung-min for scoring the first goal during a match against Iran’s national team held on Tuesday in Tehran, Iran, in the final qualifying round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. (Yonhap News)

Three minutes into the second half, Son received a pass from near the centerline and was left one on one with a defender. Entering the arc in front of Iran’s goal, he blasted a powerful shot that rattled the net, leaving the goalkeeper motionless. This was Son's second straight qualifier with a goal, following that in a 2-1 win over Syria on Thursday.

Iran's counterattack caught fire, however, after the team gave up a goal at home. Team Melli kept up the offensive pressure, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh finally tying the game in the 76th minute after his squad had hit the goalpost twice.

The Korean team walks across the field after Iran scores a goal, tying up the game, during a match against Iran’s national team held on Tuesday in Tehran, Iran, in the final qualifying round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Chang-keum, staff reporter

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