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| Kwon Chang-hoon of Korea Republic celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-2 during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifier match between Syria and South Korea at Al Rashid Stadium on February 1, 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. |
South Korea have become the 14th team to join hosts Qatar and book a place at the 2022 World Cup following a 2-0 defeat of Syria in Dubai.
They join Iran as the two automatic qualifiers from Asian group A - Australia are in group B.
Two matches remain to be played in the group but South Korea cannot now be caught after goals from Kim Jin-su and Kwon Chang-hoon in the 53rd and 71st minutes earned victory.
Qatar will be South Korea's tenth successive appearance at the finals.
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| Kwon Chang-hoon of Korea Republic and Hosam Aiesh of Syria during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifier match between Syria and South Korea at Al Rashid Stadium on February 1, 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. |
Elsewhere in the group Iran beat United Arab Emirates 1-0 and Lebanon drew 1-1 with Iraq.
Iran won despite the 49th-minute dismissal of Sadegh Moharrami. Five minutes earlier Mehdi Taremi had scored what proved the winning goal.
The results left UAE in third, three points clear of Lebanon.
The third-placed team qualifies for a play-off with the equivalent team in group B, currently Australia, with the winner facing a play-off with a South American team to reach Qatar.
