Daei goal puts Iran in to last eight of Asia Cup

By Nadim ladki
BEIRUT, Oct 18 (Reuters)(DS) - Asian Footballer of the Year Ali Daei scored a second-half goal to send Iran into the Asian Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Iraq in Sidon on Wednesday. Despite the defeat, Iraq also made it to the quarter-finals, coming second behind Iran in Group A after hosts Lebanon and Thailand battled to a 1-1 draw in the group's final matches.

The results left Iran top on seven points, followed by Iraq on four and Thailand and Lebanon on two points each. The Thais, who have a better goal difference, retain a slim chance of reaching the last eight as one of the best two third-placed teams among the competition's three groups. Man-of-the-match Daei pounced on a loose ball spilled by Iraqi keeper Amer Abdulwahab, and after a lucky ricochet, rolled it into an empty net from two yards out in the 77th minute.

The Hertha Berlin striker took his goal tally in the competition to three in three matches. Iran had been the better side in the second half after an even first 45 minutes but struggled to unlock a solid Iraqi defence in front of 3,000 fans. They came close to scoring eight minutes before the goal but a 30-yard shot from Hamed Kavianpour was finely save by the Iraqi keeper. Iraqi striker Sabah Khalaf came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half, hitting a post with a diving header. At the other end, Daei headed over the bar from three yards out in the 17th minute and three minutes later Karim Bagheri hit a half volley just over the Iraqi goal from 18 yards three minutes later