Defending champions Iraq through to Asian Cup quarter-finals

DOHA - Defending champions Iraq Wednesday joined the already-qualified Iran in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup with a 1-0 victory against North Korea.

A new look-Iran, who were assured of topping Group D ahead of their final match, maintained their 100 per cent record at the tournament by beating the United Arab Emirates 3-0 through second-half goals from Arash Afshin and Mohammad Noriand and an own goal from Walid Abbas.

In the Al Rayyan stadium Kerrar Jasim’s first-half goal for Iraq saw the team finish on six points, while the UAE and North Korea each finished with one point.

In the quarter-finals Saturday, Iran will face South Korea, while Iraq take on Australia.

North Korean coach Jo Tong Sop said that his players had not recovered from going a goal down midway through the first half. “We conceded a goal too early. That did not work with our tactics and that caused a psychological problem for our players.”

His Iraqi counter-part Wolfgang Sidka said that he was happy that they had qualified for the next round. “The most important thing is that we are through.”

“I think we deserved the victory. I was very happy with the first half, but in the second the North Koreans tried to come back into the match and in the last 20 minutes, we lost a bit of shape.”

“But we are now looking forward to the quarter-final.”

Urged on by a small group of smartly-dressed, flag-waving fans wearing ties, who were seemingly instructed by a choreographer in their cheering, the North Koreans were the faster out of the starting blocks.

The 2010 World Cup finalists, who went into the game knowing that they needed a victory to progress, however failed to create any clear-cut chances.

Four minutes later the defending champions were ahead when goalkeeper Myong Guk made a bit of a hash of Kareem’s effort from well outside the area and the ball came to Jasim, who had a simple task pushing in from close range.

In the second half, Iraq seemed content to hold onto their lead, while the North Koreans struggled to find a way through the compact Iraqi defence.

In the Qatar SC stadium Iranian coach Afshin Ghotbi rang in the changes for his match against the UAE.

His new team failed to find their rhythm in the first half and hardly created any chances, but did much better after the break.

Afshin scored the opening goal in the 70th minute after his side twice hit the crossbar. Mohammad Gholami’s first header from a Gholam Reza Rezaei cross had goalkeeper Majed Nasser well-beaten, but hit the woodwork.

Gholami then put the rebound against the crossbar again, before Afshin pushed the ball over the line for his first international goal.

His joy turned to sorrow shortly afterwards though as he was sent off within five minutes for a foul on Nasser.

The UAE were also reduced to ten men when Khalid Sebil was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a late tackle.

In the 83rd minute Khorso Heidari laid back for Nori, who beat Nasser with a powerful shot from just within the area.

Abbas put an end to a miserable night for his side when he put the ball into his own net in injury time under a challenge from Rezaei.