Shaikh Salman congratulates Asian trio on World Cup 2014 qualification

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Iran, Korea Republic and Australia for making it to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Australian players celebrate after the FIFA 2014 World Cup Asian Qualifier match between the Australian Socceroos and Iraq at ANZ Stadium on June 18, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The three joined Asian champions Japan, who have already qualified for the world’s premier football competition. Iran edged past Korea Republic 1-0 in their crucial final match to top Group A while Australia confirmed their berth by defeating Iraq 1-0. Uzbekistan sidelined Qatar 5-1 but missed out on goal difference and will now play Jordan, the 1-0 victors over Oman, to determine Asia’s fifth-placed team.

The two third-placed teams from each group – Uzbekistan and Jordan – will battle out in a home-and-away encounter on September 6 and 10 and the winner will take on CONMEBOL’s fifth-placed team in an inter-continental playoff, to be played in November 2013, for a place in the FIFA World Cup.

“I would like to congratulate the three teams who have earned their deserving places for the FIFA World Cup. It is encouraging to see that the competition is growing in Asia and these three teams could only confirm their qualification on the last day of the qualifiers,” Shaikh Salman said.

“Iran have once again proved that they are one of the Asian powerhouses after missing out on a berth in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“Korea Republic is the most successful Asian team in the history of the FIFA World Cup and I hope they will improve upon their previous showing in their ninth appearance in Brazil.

“Australia have become a dominant force in Asian football since joining AFC in 2006 and I am sure they will have a point to prove when they take the field in Brazil next year,” he added.

“I would also like to wish Uzbekistan and Jordan the very best for their home-and-away tie and hope that the best team will represent Asia in the inter-continental playoff.”