Asian champions Japan beat Iran 2-1 at home in their World Cup qualifying campaign Wednesday to finish top of Group B.

Ryo Kaji scored his first international goal and Masashi Oguro rounded off the win for Japan in a match important only for bragging rights with both teams already qualified for Germany 2006.

Japan overtook Iran to finish Asian final qualifying Group B on 15 points after six games, two ahead of Iran. Third-placed Bahrain, who were playing pointless North Korea, will play off against the team finishing third in Group A.

Taji's goal came from a Keiji Tamada cross which beat both Oguro and 'keeper Ebrahim Mirzapour, leaving an empty net. Oguro made it 2-0in the 76th minute before Ali Daei pulled one back with a penalty three minutes later.

The victory was revenge for Japan's 2-1 reverse in Tehran in March, their only loss of the qualifying campaign.

Source: Xinhua