TEHRAN, Oct. 12 (Mehr News Agency)--The Iranian football team defeated Syria 2-0 in the AFC U-16 quarter-final on Sunday and deservedly won a berth in next year's FIFA World Cup.

Iran's two goals were scored by Kaveh Rezai in the 79th and 90th minutes in the Tashkent Pakhtakor Stadium in Uzbekistan.

Shirazi from Iran was sent off after collecting a second yellow card with five minutes remaining to the final whistle.

Iran has qualified for the semi-final round and automatically booked a berth in the 2009 FIFA World Cup.

The team will play the UAE on October 15.

Nigeria will be hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup next year.