Asian Cup 2011: Iraq 1-2 Iran

The eagerly anticipated clash between neighbours and rivals Iraq and Iran promised much after an enthralling first-half faded in the second-half but the Iranians dug deep to snatch a 2-1 victory. Younis Mahmood's opener for Iraq was cancelled out by Gholam Reza Rezaei before Imad Mobali's dramatic late winner.

Iraq made a bright start and took the lead after twelve minutes. Mehdi Kareem's far-post cross drew Iranian 'keeper Mahdi Rahmati out of position. Imad Mohammed cleverly headed the ball back towards goal before the ball was tapped home by the predatory Younis Mahmood, who netted his 34th goal for his country.

After a mediocre beginning to the game, Iran began to find their feet as the first-half drew to a close and they duly equalised four minutes before the break. Andranik Teymourian's ball found winger Gholam Reza Rezaei, who sprung the offside trap before keeping his cool and sliding the ball home past Mohamad Kassid.

In a lacklustre second-half, a set-piece always looked the most likely manner of deciding the game. When substitute Samer Saeed needlessly gave away a free-kick, Imad Mobali made him pay when he curled a free-kick into the net with a mere six minutes remaining on the clock.

In sharp contrast to the earlier stalemate between North Korean and UAE, both sides entertained with attacking football. Asian Cup holders Iraq created the first chance when Ala'a Abdulzehra's flick opened up the Iranian defence only for Mahmood's shot to be saved by Rahmati.

Before their equaliser, Iran troubled the Iraqi defence from dead-ball situations. Hadi Aghili's 23rd minute header was almost spilled by Mohamad Kassid and Shojaei skied a weak shot after the better chance had fallen to strike-partner Gholami. Saves by Rahmati from the outstanding Hawar Mohammad and Salam Saeed ensured the game was level at the break.

The first-half was a difficult act to follow and a more defensive mentality took root in both sides as neither outfit wanted to risk defeat. As a consequence, the match became littered with fouls and the atmosphere in the stands was correspondingly flat. Out of nothing, Emad Mohammed nicked the ball past the defender and stormed forward but Mahmood was unable to make contact with the winger's cutback.

A defensive slip at the back from Ahmed Ibrahim after 75 minutes gifted the ball to Rezaei and the replacement defender's blushes had to be spared by a sprawling stop from Kassid. The ill-discipline of the tiring Iraqi defenders then told when Iran got their winning goal nine minutes later.

Iran will face North Korea on Saturday while Iraq take on the United Arab Emirates.