Iran has defeated North Korea 1-0 in matchday 2 of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup to secure a place in the next round of the competition with a game in hand, Press TV reported.
Iran mostly dominated the game but North Korea defended well in the first half to go to the dressing room undefeated at Qatar Sports Club Stadium in Doha on Saturday.
Afshing Qotbi's squad, however, continued to display their good performance in the second half until the breakthrough came just after the hour mark.
Karim Ansari Fard scored the winner in the 62nd minute to take revenge on North Korea, which had eliminated Iran from the 2010 World Cup.
The UAE and Iraq will face off later in the day.
Earlier in week, Iran clinched a valuable 2-1 victory over defending champion Iraq in its first match of the Group D.