Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday shared a 1-1 draw in Abu Dhabi to leave their AFC qualifying playoff for the FIFA World Cup finely poised ahead of the second leg at the Basra International Stadium in Iraq on Tuesday.
Luton Town striker Ali al-Hamadi gave Iraq the lead in the 10th minute, but a header by Luanzinho eight minutes later secured a draw for Cosmin Olaroiu’s hosts.
The winners of the two-legged clash are to advance to an intercontinental playoff in March that would determine the final qualifiers for the expanded 48-team finals next summer.
Photo: AP
Both nations are attempting to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in a generation, with Iraq having previously appeared in Mexico in 1986 while the UAE made their solitary appearance at the finals four years later in Italy.
Graham Arnold-coached Iraq went in front after the home defense struggled to clear Amir al-Ammari’s free-kick, Akam Hashim driving the ball across the face of goal from the left and al-Hamadi swept his right-foot strike home.
Eight minutes later, the UAE leveled through Luanzinho’s header, the Brazil-born midfielder rising highest to meet Abdalla Ramadan’s in-swinging cross from the right.
Photo: AP
UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa made saves from al-Hamadi and Mohanad Ali to ensure the sides went into the break level, while Jalal Hassan had to be at his sharpest to keep out Ramadan’s strike from distance moments after the restart.
Caio Lucas thought he had won the game for the UAE in the sixth minute of stoppage-time when he bundled the ball over the line, but the effort was ruled out for a marginal offside call.
CONCACAF
Photo: EPA
AP, PARAMARIBO
Richonell Margaret on Thursday scored twice in a two-minute span in the second half as Suriname defeated El Salvador 4-0 in qualifying in North America, Central America and the Caribbean to move closer to securing a spot in the World Cup for the first time.
Tjaronn Cherry opened the scoring with a penalty-kick in the 44th minute and Richonell Margaret scored in the 74th and 76th minutes, while Dhoraso Moreo Klass added a goal in the 83rd minute.
Photo: EPA
With the win, Suriname remained undefeated and reached nine points in Group A, the same as Panama, who defeated Guatemala 3-2.
Suriname, who have a better goal difference than Panama, are to visit Guatemala on Tuesday next week, while Panama are to host El Salvador.
Twelve teams, divided into three groups, are vying for three direct spots from regional qualifying.
Suriname, one of CONCACAF’s founding nations in 1961, are playing in the final round of qualifying for the first time since 1978.
El Salvador suffered their fourth straight loss and with three points are eliminated.
Elsewhere, Jordi Paulina scored twice as Curacao beat Bermuda 7-0. Curacao are to play Jamaica for a spot in the World Cup.
With the win, Curacao have 11 points and lead Group B over Jamaica, who drew 1-1 with Trinidad and Tobago. Curacao need a win or a draw to qualify, while Jamaica require a win.
Group C is up for grabs after Bancy Hernandez and Jaime Moreno scored goals in Nicaragua’s upset 2-0 win over Honduras and Haiti downed Costa Rica 1-0.
With one round left to play, Honduras lead the group with eight points, the same as Haiti, but with a better goal difference. Costa Rica remain in contention with six, while Nicaragua are eliminated with four points.
CAF
AP, RABAT
Victor Osimhen on Thursday scored twice in extra-time for Nigeria to beat Gabon 4-1 in their semi-final playoff in African qualifying.
Nigeria face the Democratic Republic of the Congo in tomorrow’s playoff final.
DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba scored the winner in stoppage-time to beat Cameroon 1-0 in the other semi-final.
The playoff winner is to advance to the six-team intercontinental playoffs in March that is to send two teams to the World Cup.
Bolivia (CONMEBOL) and New Caledonia (Oceania) have already qualified for the playoffs.
A record 48 teams are to play in the World Cup. On Thursday, France become the latest team to qualify.
Forty-three teams are to get their spots through continental qualifying tournaments, while another two are to secure their places in the intercontinental playoffs featuring six teams and scheduled for March in Mexico.
The three host countries automatically qualify.
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