Faced by a Malaysian side who had been heavily beaten in their first two games, a first half penalty by Javad Nekounam and Andranik Teymourian's 78th-minute drive left a below par Iran sitting at the top of Group C ahead of Uzbekistan, who beat China 3-0 to finish second.

Iran's stuttering win means that Amir Ghalenoei's side will stay in Kuala Lumpur for a last eight clash with South Korea, who finished as runners-up in Group D.

Having called for a heroic rearguard action, Malaysia coach Norizan Bakar will have been delighted with his charges' resilience, although possibly less pleased with the space afforded to Vahid Hashemian whose ninth-minute shot from Teymourian's cross was superbly turned onto his bar by Malaysia goalkeeper Azizon Kadir.

Three minutes later and Azizon was in the thick of things again as he dived to deflect a fiercely struck Reza Enayati shot onto his right hand post.

Despite their early dominance, Iran failed to find a way through the home side's defence and nearly conceded themselves when Aidil Radzak burst through a static Iranian backline, but the youngster's shot was deflected safely into the arms of stopper Hassan Roudbarian.

The breakthrough came after 29 minutes. Ali Karimi's well-timed run into the Malaysian box was checked illegally by Hussain Khaironissam according to referee Muhsen Basma.

Javad Nekounam, scorer of Iran's equaliser against China in a 2-2 draw, tucked away the resulting penalty with ease.

The Malaysian woodwork was rattled again only moments later when Rahman Rezaei's headed cross was thumped against the bar by Hashemian.

Malaysia came close to equalising after 44 minutes when Shukor Adan's run down the right flank saw him find space to fire in a shot that brought the best out of Roudbarian to send the home team into the break in a buoyant mood.

With Malaysia continuing to fight for every blade of the Bukit Jalil National Stadium turf, Iran had to wait until the 58th minute for their first serious attempt of the half, Teymourian's effort being tipped away acrobatically by Azizon.

Substitute Rassoul Khatibi duly headed horribly wide from only five yards before he was booked for attempting to win a penalty with a dramatic dive.

A long range pile driver from Hashemian was then gathered well by Azizon as Malaysian bodies continued to thwart Iran, a terrific team spirit that was epitomised in the 71st minute as Hamzani Omar reacted brilliantly to deny Khatibi a clear attempt on goal.

Javad Kazemian's lobbed effort on 75 minutes fell agonisingly wide before Iran's superior possession was turned into something more tangible three minutes later when Teymourian converted a Mehdi Mahdavikia pass with unerring accuracy to beat Azizon at his near post.

Karimi's last gasp shot was turned onto the bar by Azizon and the save proved to be the last meaningful action of a game which Iran may have won but from which Malaysia emerged with plaudits galore.