Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Iraq stunned seven-time African Cup of Nations champions Egypt 2-1 on Wednesday to maintain their winning run in Arab Cup 2012.
In the match played at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, the 2007 Asian champions came from behind after Gomaa Saleh’s penalty in the 45th minute gave the reigning African champions a 1-0 lead.
Mustafa Kareem Abdullah needed just four minutes from Saleh’s goal to bring the match level at 1-1 while the winning goal came in the 75th minute when Alaa Abdul Zahra found the back of Egypt's net to lead Group C featuring fellow Asian World Cup contenders Lebanon, Egypt and Sudan.
Iraq, who will be in action for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers in September when they travel to Japan, will take on Sudan on Friday and a draw over the Africans will ensure a place for the Iraqis in the semi-final of the 11-team tournament.
Iraq are unbeaten in Group B of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers and are at the second position behind leaders Japan with two points after drawing their matches against West Asian rivals Jordan and Oman.