Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Iraq cruised to a 7-1 victory over Singapore as the 2007 AFC Asian Cup winners progressed to the Fourth Round of Asian Qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in style.
Jordan had been the Group A pacesetters and had assured themselves of a top-two finish by winning their first four matches but after a 3-1 home loss to Iraq in their penultimate Round 3 match and an identical defeat by China on Wednesday, Zicos's side had the chance bring the curtain down on a successful campaign by leapfrogging the side from the Hashemite Kingdom into top spot.
Karrar Jassim set the ball rolling at the Grand Hamad Stadium with the opening goal after just four minutes before Qatar-based striker Younis Mahmoud getting the first of his hat-trick seven minutes later.
Penalties from Hawar Mulla Mohammed (22nd) and Nashat Akram (36th) gave Iraq a 4-1 lead at half-time with Isa Halim getting on the score sheet for Singapore in the 28th minute.
Mustafa Kareem made it 5-1 two minutes into the second-half before Iraq's Asian Cup-winning skipper Mahmoud went on to complete his treble with goals in the 61st minute and three minutes into stoppage time as Iraq ended their campaign with 15 points, three more than second-place Jordan.