Iran have topped Group D at the Asian Cup following their final group match victory over UAE.

The Iranians were the only team to win all three matches in the initial phase of the 2011 Qatar tournament which culminated in the 3-0 win over the Emirates.

It took them 70 minutes to score their first goal against a plucky UAE outfit who needed a win to get through to the quarter-finals but once the first goal came, Iran were able to score with ease to run out comfortable victors.

Arash Afshin was the recipient of some good fortune after Mohammad Gholami headed against the crossbar then followed up the deflection with a shot against the post, the ball falling to Afshin who tucked it away from close range.

Afshin received a second yellow card in the 74th minute for a challenge on UAE keeper Majed Nasser, injuring himself in the process before UAE defender Khalid Sebil was also sent off in the 79th minute when he took out the legs of Ghasem Hadadifar.

Iran went 2-0 ahead in the 83rd minute when Mohammad Noori swept home before the match was wrapped up in injury time when UAE's Waleed Abbas deflected in his second own goal for the tournament from a Gholamreza Rezaei.

The Group D winners now meet South Koreea in the quarter-final on Saturday afternoon whilst UAE consigned to the bottom of the table.

2011 Asian Cup - Group DUAE: 0 Iran: 3 (Arash Afshin 70', Mohammad Noori 83', Waleed Abbas (og) 90+2')

Venue: Qatar SC Stadium, Doha Crowd: 5,012 Referee: Kim Dong-Jin (KOR)