Launch pad for Saudi reign

Asia's final qualifying group for USA 1994, where the six top teams battled against each other for the continent's two places at the FIFA World Cup™, has starkly different resonances for the nations involved.

For Japan, the competition staged in Qatar's capital is still remembered as the 'Agony of Doha', where they were denied their first appearance at a FIFA World Cup by a resilient Iraq, when Jaffar Omran Salman managed an equalizer deep into stoppage time in their final match.

At the same time, a rampant Saudi Arabia overcame Iran 4-3 in a thrilling game, a result which saw the Desert Sons finish top of the six-team lineup to book their maiden appearance at the global showpiece. Join FIFA.com for a closer look at one of the most enthralling qualifiers in Asia's history.

The Summary
28 October 1993, Al Khalifa Stadium, Doha
Saudi Arabia 4-3 Iran
Scorers: Saudi Arabia (Sami Al Jaber 21, Fahad Al Muhallal 27, Mansoor Al Mousa 47, Hamza Flaitih 74). Iran (Mehdi Fonoonizadeh 43, 52, Javad Manafi 90)
Saudi Arabia: Mohammed Al Daeyea(GK), Ahmed Madani, Abdullah Al Dossary, Fouad Amin Anwar, Mohammed Al Khlaiwi, Mansoor Al Moeineh, Mohammed Abdul Jawad, Khalid Misaad Al Muwallad, Hamaza Flaitih, Sami Al Jaber, Fahad Al Muhallal
Iran: Behzad Gholampour, Nader Mohammedkhani, Javad Zarincheh, Reza Hassanzadeh, Mohamed Rezaei-Manfesh, Mehdi Fonoonizadeh, Hamid Darakhshan, Mehdi Abtahi, Amir Ghalenoei, Behzad Dadashzadeh, Ali Daei
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