Iran coach Branko Ivankovic warned that Iran would not be pushovers at next year's World Cup after his team booked their spot in the finals in midweek.

Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia clinched the other three automatic Asian spots on an emotional night across the continent.

Iran beat Bahrain 1-0 in Group B after a Mohammad Nosrati header two minutes into the second half gave the home side a lead they never looked like relinquishing.

Ivankovic's side had needed only a point to secure qualification and the final whistle sparked frenzied celebrations across Tehran.

"This team have shown they are the best generation in Iran's football history," said Croatian Ivankovic.

"We will not go to the World Cup just to make up the numbers.

"We feel we can beat anyone."

Iran previously qualified for the World Cup finals in 1978 and 1998 and have looked the best team in the Asia qualifiers.

"You can see the talent and the ambition of these players. They are capable of making an impact at the World Cup," Ivankovic said.

Asian champions Japan became the first team to qualify for the World Cup alongside hosts Germany after a 2-0 win over North Korea in a Group B game in Bangkok.

Striker Atsushi Yanagisawa settled Japanese nerves with a clinical finish in the 73rd minute and substitute Masashi Oguro added a second a minute from time.

Japan will be making their third World Cup finals appearance after qualifying in 1998 and co-hosting the 2002 tournament with South Korea.

"I hadn't scored in the qualifiers so it was a great feeling to score such an important goal," Yanagisawa said. "I was waiting for a chance and we never stopped believing."

South Korea, meanwhile, kept their proud record of having qualified for every World Cup since 1986 intact with a crushing 4-0 win in Kuwait.

"I didn't expect such a big victory but we fully deserved it," said South Korea's Dutch coach Jo Bonfrere.

Saudi Arabia clinched their spot in a fourth consecutive World Cup finals after two goals from talisman Sami Al Jaber gave them a 3-0 home victory over Uzbekistan in Group A.

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