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.

Asian Cup 2011: Korea Republic 2-1 Bahrain

Doha: A goal in each half by Koo Ja-cheol steered Korea Republic to a dramatic 2-1 win over Bahrain in a Group C match of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ at Al Gharafa Stadium on Monday.

Koo gave the Taeguk Warriors the lead after 40 minutes and then added a second six minutes into the second half before Bahrain ensured a tense finish with Faouzi Aaish’s 83rd minute penalty.

Korea Republic attacked from the outset of the game and nearly opened the scoring after just six minutes when Lee Chung-yong sent a neat pass to Park Ji-sung, but the Manchester United midfielder’s shot was straight at goalkeeper Mahmood Mansoor.

The East Asians continued to look the most likely to score and created their second chance of the game in the 24th minute when Koo ran into the area before hitting a powerful shot that was saved by Mansoor, who denied the same player just five minutes later.

Asian Cup 2011: India 0-4 Australia

Australia got their Asian Cup campaign off to a flyiong start with a 4-0 win over an India side who battled to the end.

The Socceroos were three-up by half-time and were never in trouble thereafter. Tim Cahill bagged a brace while Harry Kewell and Brett Holman scored one each.

India started with Mohammed Rafi up front alongside Sunil Chhetri, with Surkumar Singh and Deepak Mandal operating as the two wing-backs. Mile Jedinak was awarded a place in the first XI alongside Harry Kewell to form the front two for the Socceroos.

As expected, it was the Aussies who started on a brighter note, though every clearance by an Indian player was met by cheers from the assembled crowd inside the Al Saad Stadium.

Asian Cup: Excellent Zhuoxiang Free Kick Caps Comfortable Win For China

Kuwait had a man sent off and were eventually brushed aside by China who ran out 2-0 winners in the second, somewhat scrappy, match of the 2011 Asian Cup.

Just after the half hour mark Mesaed Al Enezi was sent off, then a lucky deflected goal by Linpeng Zhang got the Chinese going and not long after they doubled their lead thanks to a magnificent Deng Zhuoxiang free kick.

Kuwait received a boost going into the game as key striker Bader Al Mutawa was passed fit to face the Chinese. Thankfully, he lived up to his billing and was very lively in the opening stages of the game.

The Kuwaitis had more of the ball in midfield but struggled to really test the Chinese goalkeeper Yang Zhi, though they did have a strong penalty claim as China imposed themselves physically, but the referee played on, much the annoyance of the team in blue.

AFF Cup: Safee Sali Double Inspires Underdogs In First Leg Of Final

Malaysia have taken a huge step towards being crowned AFF Cup champions after beating Indonesia 3-0 in the first leg of their final in Kuala Lumpur.

In front of a passionate crowd of 90,000 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, the Malaysians netted three goals in the space of 12 minute during the second half to take a potentially decisive lead in their tie.

It was the first time that Indonesia played away from home in the tournament after their semi final with the Philippines was played entirely in Jakarta.