Iran only a win away from World Cup berth

KUALA LUMPUR, OCTOBER 18: IRAN and Saudi Arabia are locked in a battle of nerves as Asian qualifying for the 2002 soccer World Cup enters its final weekend.

Iran leads Group A with one match to play against Bahrain at Manama on Sunday. The three points on offer for a win would secure it back-to-back berths at the World Cup.

Saudi Arabia is one point behind Iran, meaning it needs to win against Thailand on Sunday at Riyadh and rely on Bahrain forcing a draw or an unlikely win against Iran to secure an automatic spot.

The Group A winner will become the fourth Asian nation to qualify, while the runner-up will play off against the Group B runner-up for the right to advance to a last-ditch series against Ireland for the last spot at the finals. FIFA has decided to delay the kick off of both matches until Sunday. (Associated Press)