Iraq was sent crashing out of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers on Sunday after going down to Qatar at Al Ahli Stadium in Dubai.
Qatar needed a win to progress to the final round of Asian qualifiers and Seyd Bechir duly delivered the winner with just 13 minutes remaining.
The hosts joined Australia at the top of Group One with 10 points, while Iraq took third place with seven points.
Qatar started brightly and thought it had grabbed the opener in just the eighth minute, but Sebastian Quintana's effort was ruled out for offside.
Iraq had its first opportunity four minutes later when Nashat Akram's cross found Emad Mohamed, whose header was on target, but goalkeeper Mohammed Saqr was equal to the effort.
Qatar again had the ball in the net 10 minutes before the break when Sayd Ali Bechir headed home but he was in an offside position.
The home side made little headway for much of the second half but grabbed the crucial goal in the 77th minute.
Substitute Hussein Yasser swung in a cross from the left flank to Bechir, who headed the ball into the far corner of the net off the right-hand post.
The Iraqis poured forward in search of an equaliser and they almost grabbed one with a minute remaining when Mostafa Karim shot over the crossbar.
Deep into stoppage time, Mostafa again had a final chance to snatch a draw but his weak shot failed to trouble Saqr.
Saudi Arabia ensured it finished top of Group Four after thrashing Uzbekistan 4-0 at King Fahad International Stadium.
Abdoh Autef put Saudi Arabia ahead after six minutes and Malek Maaz doubled its advantage in the 37th minute.
Saad Al Harthi scored the third in the 55th minute before Maaz completed the rout three minutes from time.
Despite the defeat Uzbekistan also progressed, having won all five of its previous games.
South Korea and North Korea both maintained their unbeaten records in Group Three after a lacklustre goalless draw at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
A resolute display from the North Korea defence also ensured that the visitors ended the third round of their qualifying campaign without conceding a single goal.
There was little to play for but pride, as both countries had already qualified for the next round.
South Korea's best opportunity came midway through the second half as a stunning through-ball from Kang sent Park Chu-young in behind the North Korea defence but, with only Ri to beat, the substitute blazed over the bar from 10 yards.
North Korea should have won it right at the death but substitute Choe Kum-chol's 25-yard screamer just brushed past the outside of the post.
Atsuto Uchida scored a bizarre last-gasp winner as Japan posted a narrow 1-0 win over Bahrain.
The victory sees Japan finish at the top of Group Two, ahead of Bahrain, which also progresses to the next phase of the qualification campaign.
Takeshi Okada's troops claimed all the points after Uchida's arcing header bounced over Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Mohamed Jaafar and into the back of the net in the final minute of the match.
Shunsuke Nakamura had earlier seen his penalty kick saved by the Bahrain custodian while Yasuhito Endo was unfortunate to see his rasping first-half free-kick rattle the woodwork.
Iran eased to a comfortable Group Five win over Kuwait at Azadi Stadium.
Javad Nekounam and Gholamreza Rezaei scored the goals for Iran who finished top of the