Iranian soccer stars arrive in China

Beijing - Iran's national football team arrived here on Saturday to face North Korea in the 2006 World Cup qualifier.

Upon its arrival, the Iran's team was welcomed by Iran's Ambassador to China Fereydoun Verdinejad and a group of Iranian nationals residing in this country.

Iran-North Korea match is scheduled to be held in Pyongyang on March 30.

Iran-Japan World Cup qualifier match ended 2-1 in favor of the Iranian side in Tehran's Azadi stadium on March 25.

Bahrain beat North Korea in the final round of Asian 2006 qualifiers with the same score on Friday.

Iran and Bahrain have four points from two games and an identical goal difference following their 0-0 draw in Manama last month.