South Korea edge closer to Olympics with 1-0 win over Iran
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-03-18 09:19

South Korea edged closer to the Olympics on Wednesday when Lee Chun-Soo fired the only goal in a 1-0 win over Iran in Group A of the final round of Asian qualifiers for the Athens Games.

Iranian soccer player Arash Borhani (20) is fouled by Korean Kim Jung Woo (14) during their match in Azadi stadium in Tehran March 17, 2004. Korea beat Iran 1-0 at the Asian Soccer Qualifier 2004. [Reuters]

Lee, who plays for Spanish league side Real Sociedad, found the net in the 61st minute after being put clear by Cho Jae-Jin for the only goal of the game which put Korea in sight of their fifth successive appearance at the Olympics.

South Korea leads Group A with six points, followed by Iran with three. China and Malaysia, which face each other on Saturday in China, are last with zero points.

The winners of Group B will be decided on Thursday when Japan face Lebanon and Bahrain clash with the United Arab Emirates in Tokyo.

Japan and Bahrain are locked at the top of the group with 10 points.

Only one round of matches has been completed in Group C with Iraq in top spot with three points after a 4-0 win against Oman, while Kuwait and Saudi Arabia share second place after a 0-0 draw in their opener.

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