Bahrain 1 - Iran 1; Qatar 4 - Indonesia 0

Bahrain desperately needed a win at home to Iran in Manama to push for a top-two finish in Group E. Iran played well below their potential as demonstrated in their previous five qualifying matches, and Bahrain knew that a win would move them level on points with Iran. Bahrain kept pushing, and their opener came in first half stoppage time. A free kick was miraculously saved, but the rebound fell to the side of the far post, from where a Bahrain played passed the ball across the face of the open goal for a tap-in score. The halftime score read Bahrain 1, Iran 0.

Bahrain pushed forward for a while, but Iran eventually became too strong on the attack and Bahrain had to throw more players into defense. Bahrain looked ready to escape with an enormous victory, but Iran struck the crossbar in second half stoppage time, and the rebound fell perfectly for a volley into an open net for a composed Mojtaba Jabari, who now much surely be a national icon after securing the 1-1 draw for Iran. After the match, Bahraini fans threw water bottles at Iranian players and burned Iran flags, leading to official complaints being filed by Iran's national football federation. Possible sanctions include removal of Bahrain's right to host Indonesia in February for the group finale.

Qatar were looking to capitalize upon the tie in the previous match to move joint top of the table with Iran. Qatar welcomed last-place Indonesia to Doha, but they were not kind hosts. A goal at the half hour mark and a penalty kick conversion three minutes later were enough for a 2-0 lead at the half.

Midway through the second period, Qatar added the third. Qatar's fourth fell in stoppage time, and with it fell the curtain on Indonesia's FIFA World Cup aspirations. The 4-0 win sets Qatar up nicely for their Tuesday home encounter against Bahrain, where a win would be enough to put Qatar into the final phase of Asian qualifying for the second successive tournament.

Iran 8 pts +9

Qatar 8 pts +5

Bahrain 5 pts -4

Indonesia OUT

Goals

Bahrain

Mahmood Mirza Al Ajami 45+1

Iran

Mojtaba Jabari 90+3

Qatar

Mohammed Razak 30

Ibrahim Khalfan 33 PK, 64

Sebastian Soria 90+2

Match Reports:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1541325/index.html

http://www.persianfootball.com/live/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3926:bahrain-and-iran-share-points&catid=13:team-melli-news&Itemid=175

http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1756604

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhUKYi16IkE (Bahrain v. Iran)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWz5rR0c1rk (Qatar v. Indonesia)