Iran's national soccer team has been stopped by the Asian Group E leader UAE at Tehran's Azadi Stadium in 2010 World Cup qualifier.

Bruno Metsu's side took a huge step towards the fourth and final round of Asian qualification with a satisfactory draw in Tehran. Iran needed to beat the UAE to top the group five.

Iran has not yet won a match after three encounters, putting tremendous pressure on the national team coach Ali Daei.

Iran's lackluster goalless draw in previous encounters against Syria and Kuwait drew around 35,000 Iranian spectators to Tehran's gigantic 100,000-seater Azadi stadium.

The UAE now has five points, followed by Iran now with three points. Syria and Kuwait still have a qualification chance.

"We achieved what we came here for and we will keep moving" to the World Cup finals, said Metso after the game.

Iran's coach Daei, the world record holder for international goals, said his side is experiencing 'a run of bad luck'.

Iran will face the UAE again on June 7.

In other matches on Monday, Uzbekistan romped to a 7-3 victory against Singapore, while Bahrain won in Thailand after three rounds of Asian World Cup qualifier.

Japan also thrashed Oman 3-0 in Yokohama.

... Payvand News - 06/03/08 ...