Now, three-and-a-half decades on, a new generation of Iraqis believe they can end the team's long hiatus. With two matchdays remaining in the second round of of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, the Lions of Mesopotamia lead the way in Group C.

Korea Republic will play their final Group H tie on June 13 against the team in second place, Lebanon, who were dramatically defeated by Turkmenistan earlier in the day with the Taeguk Warriors only needing a draw to seal their place in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and confirming their ticket to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals.

Having taken the lead on 59 minutes through Zafar Babajanov, Turkmenistan were stunned by a pair of stellar solo goals from Rabih Ataya and Soony Saad that had seemingly turned the tie on its head.

But for a second time in the match a pair of goals flipped the script. First Guychmyrat Annagulyyev and then Annadurdyyev in injury time found the target to seal all three points for the Central Asians in dramatic fashion.

A switch to a two-man frontline of Baisa Faisal and Yazan Al Naimat paid dividends for Al Nashama, who went two goals ahead thanks to a Faisal brace before defender Yazan Al Arab made the points safe in the 67th minute.

Harry Souttar, in his third appearance, opened the scoring, and two-cap midfielder Riley McGree bagged two assists, while exciting playmaker Denis Genreau was one of three players to make their international debut, along with Connor Metcalfe and Ruon Tongyik.

Almost 100 places below their opponents in the FIFA World Rankings and having lost their last competitive match 14-0 against Japan back in March, Mongolia began the match at Yanmar Stadium Nagai with defeat expected, but produced a memorable display that saw them pick up their second victory of the campaign.

Oyunbaatar Mijiddorj grabbed the headlines as his first-half header proved the difference, but for Japanese coach Mase – who watched the defeat to his homeland from the stands prior to his appointment – this was a victory full of defensive discipline that reflected the hard work on the training ground of the world's 192nd-ranked team.

After a relatively even first half, Iran were dominant in the second period with Sardar Azmoun scoring twice in eight minutes, before Mehdi Taremi sealed the win with a strike of his own.

Skocic was ecstatic with the result, which pushed the Central Asians up to second place on 12 points in the standings, ahead of Bahrain on goal difference. Leaders Iraq have 14 points.