Hussein was a thorn for Palestine from the outset, forcing Palestine goalkeeper Tawfiq Abuhammad into action in the ninth minute when the striker closed in on Younus Al Tekreeti’s cross into the box.

The towering forward then drew a foul just outside the box in the 13th minute, with Amir Fouad going close with his free-kick.

Palestine struggled to contain the pressing Iraqi side, who almost found a way through in the 24th minute after Hussein Ali sent a delightful cross for Hussein, whose headed attempt drew a fine save from Abuhammad.

Given Iraq’s pressure, it was a matter of time before Palestine conceded and it was Hussein who delivered the blow, controlling Merchas Doski’s long pass with a deft pass before pulling away from his marker and firing a stinging shot past Abuhammad in the 31st minute.

Palestine came close to conceding again seven minutes later when a mix-up between Abuhammad and substitute Mahmoud Abuwarda almost gave the ball away to Iraq’s Youssef Wali Amyn but an alert Ameed Mahajneh cleared the ball to safety.

Palestine returned after the restart with renewed confidence and had a rare chance at goal in the 58th minute, only for Safaa Hadi Al Furaiji to send in a wayward cross which went out of play.

Palestine went even closer in the 77th minute as Wessam Abou Ali’s header off Mahmoud Abu Warda’s corner looked destined for the back of the net but Iraq keeper Jalal Hassan was equal to the effort as his side held on to take the three points.

Palestine, with just a point to their name after three matches, face Kuwait on Tuesday.