Kasola Mohammed scored an 83rd-minute equaliser to send Qatar through to the final stage of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Iran.
Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host, was facing elimination when it trailed 2-1 but Mohammed’s goal meant his team went through at the expense of Bahrain, which won 10-0 against last-place Indonesia.
Iran, which had already guaranteed its progress, went ahead through Ashkan Dejagah’s 4th-minute header before Khalfan Ibrahim equalised in the 9th from the penalty spot. Dejagah restored the hosts’ lead with a free-kick in the 50th.
Iran topped Group E with 12 points followed by Qatar with 10. Bahrain, which finished third with nine points, needed Qatar to lose and to turn around a goal difference of nine.