'Asia’s record five representatives at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia maintained their stronghold to stay within the top five with Iran retaining their season’s best in 29th place,' wrote the AFC.
It added that Team Melli, which is in Group D with Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen, has had its last of three AFC Asian Cup triumphs in 1976.
The website named Australia, South Korea, and Japan as other strong teams of the continent.
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