With six points to its name, Team Melli joined host Qatar, Australia and Iraq in the Round of 16 with a game to spare, while Hong Kong’s hopes of progressing will depend on being able to beat Palestine on the final day of the group, as well as other results going its way.
Iran took the lead when Milad Mohammedi fed Ghayedi on the left wing and the Ittihad Kalba forward expertly curled it into the bottom far corner for his second goal of the campaign in a similar fashion to his strike against Palestine days earlier.
The second half started with intensity from both sides, but with play centered around the middle of the pitch and clear-cut chances few and far between.
Hong Kong goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai showed his quality in making a flying save to push away a well-executed curled free-kick from Ramin Rezaeian which looked destined for the top corner.
Rezaeian found himself face-to-face with the opposition goalkeeper with just seven minutes to go after being set-up by a perfectly-weighted Saman Ghoddos pass, but the right-back failed to direct his shot goalwards.
Iran will end its group stage at Education City Stadium against the UAE on Tuesday, while Hong Kong take on Palestine at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on the same day.