Iran edges past N Korea 3-1, takes over Jordan

IRNA - Iran again stood above Jordan in the preliminary Group D of the 13th Asian Cup on goal difference as it 
beat North Korea 3-1 in Pyongyang Monday. 
The two sides played an uneventful first half in an almost empty stadium. 
Korean striker Ri K.D. sent a ball on the roof of Iran`s net in a man-to-man challenge with keeper Ebrahim Mirzapour in the 15th minute. 
Skipper Ali Daei headed home an Iman Mob`ali corner 16 minutes later but the goal was ruled out by the Chinese ref due to a foul by Sepahan midfielder Moharram Navidkia on the Korea`s goalie Ri M.D. in the goalmouth. 
The advancing midfielder of visitor Javad Nekounam curled a Navidkia low cross in the 33rd minute, forcing a superb dive from Ri, who palmed the ball into corner. 
Two minutes after the interval, the veteran Daei`s inswinging free-kick was saved by the Korean goalkeeper. 
But Ri surrendered in the 49th minute as Iranian playmaker Ali Karimi unleashed a powerful left-foot drive, kissing the top right of Korea`s net. 
The host heaped great pressure on Iran`s woodwork to grab the equalizer. 
Defender Mohammad Nosrati deserved a pat on the back in the 53rd minute as he rebounded a ball past Mirzapour in the goalmouth. 
Iran paid dear for a goalkeeping blunder in the 64th minute when a cross by Myong S.C. slid the hands of diving Mirzapour, who presented the equalizer to the almond-eyed players. 
But Karimi proved toast of Iran by putting the visitor ahead again in the 79th minute. The international player fired a low left-foot shot between the legs of keeper Ri to celebrate his own and side`s double. 
Korea came close to the second goal but Mirzapour denied Kim, sending back the kick by his stretching leg. 
Navidkia poured cold water on Korea`s camp four minutes before the final whistle, scoring the third for Iran by an unstoppable volley from a tight angle in the left side of the penalty box. 
Iran will entertain North Korea in the 100,000-seater Azadi Stadium, 10 km west of Tehran, on November 5. 
Hereunder comes the Group D table: 
P W D L F A Pts 
Iran 3 2 0 1 9 5 6 
Jordan 3 2 0 1 5 6 6 
Lebanon 2 1 0 1 1 1 3 
North Korea 2 0 0 2 1 4 0