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Streak stopper Iran beats Iraq for first time since 1976
SIDON, Lebanon (AP) -- Iran advanced to the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup with a prestige 1-0 victory Wednesday over arch-rival Iraq on striker Ali Daei's third goal of the tournament. Iraq also reached the last eight despite the defeat. The Hertha Berlin forward netted off a rebound in the 77th minute to give Iran seven points from three matches and first place in Group A. Iraq finished second with four points. It was Iran's first victory over Iraq since the 1976 Asian Cup. The two top sides from each of the four-team groups advance in the 12-nation tournament, along with two best third-place finishers. In the other Group A match, Lebanon and Thailand drew 1-1. Both teams finished with two points but Thailand took third place on goal difference. But the two points are unlikely to be enough for Thailand to advance. Although a draw would have put both teams into the quarterfinals, Iran began the match with a clear intention to win, pressing the Iraqis into their half of the field from the opening whistle. Still the Iranians were not able to produce a clear scoring opportunity until the 17th minute, when Daei rose at the far post to send a header that bounced off the ground over the crossbar. Three minutes later, Karim Bagheri broke through down the middle and fired a left-footed shot from the edge of the area that went just over the bar. Iraq replied in the 32nd, when Qahtar Chatir sent a good cross from the left to the far post, where his partner on the forward line, Sabah Jadir, connected with a diving header. Iranian goalkeeper Parviz Boroumand got his hands on the ball, could not hold onto it, but it bounced off the post back into his arms. The pace eased off significantly after the interval, with Iran apparently happy to settle for a draw. But a long-range shot by midfielder Hamed Kavianpour nearly took the Iraqi goalkeeper Amer Abdul-Wahab by surprise in the 68th minute. Abdul-Wahab had to stretch to full length to turn the ball around the post. The Iranian complacency was only a smoke screen, however. In the 77th, Bagheri, who plays for Charlton Athletic in England's Premier League, broke through the Iraqi defense with a solo run, bypassing three defenders. His right-foot shot was deflected by Abdul-Wahab and Daei pounced on the rebound to score the winner. Iran won the Asian Cup three times in a row between 1968 and 1976 and could become the first nation to win the title four times.
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