World Cup: Ireland qualify for 2002 finals

The Republic of Ireland qualified for their first World Cup finals since USA in 1994 despite losing 1-0 to Iran at a hostile Azadi Stadium in Tehran.

The Irish qualify for the finals in Japan and South Korea thanks to an aggregate 2-1 score.

Stout defending kept the Irish goal-line intact until Yahya Golmohamadi scored an injury time winner for the Iranians.

Both teams began this crucial play-off game nervously and Ireland appeared more fluent in their passing but by the end of the half, it was Iran, who were finishing the stronger and will rue one great missed chance through Ali Karimi.

The striker launched a header on goal after Irish captain Steve Staunton failed to clear a high ball under pressure. Fortunately for the Irish, Karimi's header went wide of Shay Given's post.

After the break, the Iranians turned up the heat and a double save by Given kept the Irish in the hunt for that World Cup place. First the Donegal man saved Bagheri's piledriver and then scrambled to scoop the rebound away from the feet of the incoming Ali Daei.

Ireland’s only real scoring chance came early in this half after Robbie Keane fed inside for fellow striker David Connolly to shoot at goal, but this strike flashed wide.

By the end of the second half, the hostile crowd had begun lighting fires in the stadium and resorted to throwing missiles on the pitch but this didn’t disrupt the focus of a hardworking Irish side.

After the game and qualifying for the World Cup finals an emotional Mick McCarthy paid tribute to his players and staff, saying "they all deserved it".