Nicosia, Sept 29: Three-time winners Iran suffered an embarrassing setback in their Asian Cup qualifying campaign on a weekend when the unpredictable nature of football on the continent was on show. Iran, champions in 1968, 1972 and 1976 and hoping to build on their Asian Games gold medal twelve months ago, lost 3-2 in Jordan in their Group D clash.

However, there were no such problems for double champions South Korea who beat Oman 1-0 to go top of Group E while Kuwait defeated Singapore 4-0 to open up a five-point lead at the top of Group B. There are seven qualifying groups with the top two going onto the finals in China next year where they will join the hosts as well as defending champions Japan.

Iran had opened their campaign with a 4-1 victory over Jordan in Teheran three weeks ago but they self-destructed in Amman where Badran Shaqran struck the winning goal 10 minutes from time. Defender Yahya Golmohammed had given Iran a sixth minute lead before Moyad Salim levelled five minutes from the break.

Mahmoud shelbaya then made it 2-1 in injury time.

Iran hit back when Farhad Majidi equalised but it was left to Jordan substitute Shaqran to grab the three points. In Incheon, South Korea defeated Oman 1-0 with a goal from rising star Choi Sung-Kuk while, in the other group e match, Vietnam routed Nepal 5-0.

Bureau Report