Hawar Mohammed converted a 30m free kick in the 67th minute and Iraq upset China 2-1 in Asian Cup qualifying on Wednesday.
Playing in Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates because of security concerns, Mohammed's goal lifted Iraq past China, which was beaten by Japan in the 2004 Asian Cup final.
In other games on Wednesday, Syria defeated Taiwan 4-0 in Taipei, while the United Arab Emirates rallied with four goals in the final 22 minutes to win 4-1 at Pakistan, staying perfect through two games. Qatar also improved to six points, beating Uzbekistan 2-1 at home.
PHOTO: AFP
Elsewhere, it was: India 0, Yemen 3; Oman 3, Jordan 0; Kuwait 0, Bahrain 0; Palestine 1, Singapore 0; and Bangladesh 0, Hong Kong 1.
In Taipei, Zyad Chabbo scored a goal in each half and Jehad Al Houssain and Firas Al Khatib also added goals to pace Syria over Taiwan and a share of the lead in Group B with Iran and South Korea. The victory was Syria's first and gave it three points, same as Iran, which leads the group on goal difference.
With Iraq's win and Palestine's 1-0 victory over Singapore, all four teams have three points in Group E, although China leads Singapore, Iraq and Palestine on goal difference. Mahdi Karim opened the scoring for Iraq in the 16th minute, converting from 12 meters off a headed pass from Haidar Abdul Amir. China equalized in the 53rd minute on Tao Wei's blistering shot from outside the area.
In Karachi, Pakistan, Mohammed Qassim scored in the 68th to equalize, and was followed by Ismail Matar, Salam Saad and Saeed Al Kas in the next 20 minutes to move the United Arab Emirates three points atop Group C. Matar's goal was his second winner in as many games, having scored the lone goal in the United Arab Emirates' 1-0 victory over Oman last week.
Qatar also rallied in Doha. After Bilal Mohammed scored an own-goal in the 20th minute, Adel Lamy equalized just before halftime and Ali Nasser added the winner four minutes into the second half to put Qatar alone atop Group F.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping