Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Canberra: Goals from Younus Mahmood and Ahmed Yasin led Iraq into the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 quarter-finals and a meeting with arch-rivals Iran, after a 2-0 victory against Palestine at Canberra Stadium on Tuesday night.
Match highlights: Iraq 2-0 Palestine
Click here for match summary
Mahmood’s first goal in the tournament Down Under came on 48 minutes and was his seventh in AFC Asian Cup competitions, meaning he has now scored in four consecutive continental championships since he first appeared at the 2004 edition.
Mahmood could have had a second just before the hour mark, too, but Palestine’s back-up goalkeeper Tawfiq Abduhammad, who put on an impressive show throughout in the absence of the injured Ramzi Saleh, saved the forward’s spot-kick.
But two minutes before the end midfielder Yasin, making his first start of the tournament, sealed the points and the victory for Iraq.
The win means Iraq finish second in Group D, behind defending champions Japan who topped Jordan 2-0 in the day’s other game, and Radhi Shenaishil and his team will remain in Canberra for their last-eight showdown with Group C winners Iran on Friday.
Handed his first start of the tournament, Justin Meram went close to justifying his coach’s decision after just three minutes as he jinked inside following a long throw on the left and into the area but he was closed down quickly and his shot stuttered into the hands of goalkeeper Abduhammad.
Palestine themselves could have taken a shock lead on 20 minutes as Jalal Hassan made a hash of Ashraf Nu’man’s corner but the ball was cleared just before Abdallatif Al Bahdari could pounce on the loose ball.
While Iraq dominated the first period, they found Abduhammad showing no signs of nerves in his first start and in confident form.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper saved a swerving long-range effort from Waleed Salim 20 minutes into the contest before diving low to his right to block Mahmood’s header five minutes before the interval.
And Iraq’s profligacy continued in just the second minute of the re-start as Mahmood blazed wide when the influential Yasin’s pull-back found him inside the penalty area.
But the striker’s woes in front of goal would last only another minute. From half-time substitute Ali Adnan’s corner, Mahmood rose highest to direct a firm header past Abduhammad.
Almost immediately after that setback, Palestine then had their best chance of the night as a poor pass from Salam Shakir fell into the pass of the alert Nu’man but Hassan pulled off an impressive save with his feet to block the goal-bound effort.
The game began to open up as both teams looked for goals before Ahmed Mahajna brought down Meram inside the area for a penalty to Iraq just before the hour-mark.
Mahmood stepped up, looking for his second of the night, but Abduhammad continued his impressive performance by diving the right way, low to his left, and parried the ball away.
Iraq continued to hammer away at the Palestine defence and eventually a second goal came their way in the game’s dying minutes as Yasin scored the goal his fine performance warranted with a powerful low strike from the edge of the area that zipped into the back of the net.
And Adnan could have made it three late on with an effort that hit the upright, but the points were safe as the final whistle blew shortly after to the delight of the large contingent of Iraqi fans.
Photo: WSG