South Korea squandered a chance to book their spot at next year's World Cup finals on Thursday after a 0-0 draw with 10-man Iran left their qualification hopes precariously balanced.
Iran, having already booked their berth in the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, faced South Korea at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday in an Asian zone qualifier before playing Syria at Tehran's Azadi Stadium on September 5.
Already qualified Iran played the majority of the second half in front of a capacity crowd at the Seoul World Cup Stadium a man down after Saeid Ezatolahi’s red card but extended their undefeated record in Asia’s Group A to nine matches.
Iran were reduced to 10 men seven minutes into the second half, when Saeid Ezatolahi was shown a straight red card after he recklessly stamped on the head of Kim Min-jae following an aerial clash between the pair.
Queiroz's side have had the upper hand against the Taeguk Warriors lately, winning their last meeting 1-0 in the Asian zone qualifications.
LR