Iraq coach Radhi Swadi says the history between his country and Iran adds extra importance to their Asian Cup quarter-final at Canberra Stadium on Friday, after Iraq beat Palestine 2-0 to book their spot in the finals.If Tuesday night's crowd of 10,235 is anything to go by there will an electric atmosphere with predictions of Canberra's second sellout of the tournament.
Swadi backed his side to make the final if they get past their encounter with Iran, and took a pot shot at the Asian Football Confederation for only giving them three days before their quarter-final while Iran has an extra day recovery.
"Of course it's going to be a difficult match, there's a lot fo history between Iraq and Iran," he said.
"As a player I've played a lot of matches against Iran, especially in this kind of round where whoever loses leaves the competition, so it's a very difficult situation for both teams.
"I think both teams will give their best on the day, I think we'll see a good game in Canberra."
Palestine coach Ahmad Alhasan also predicted Iraq could make the final if they beat Iran.
He said his team's preparation had been difficult, having had to leave their country to train and play.
"We're the only country among the other 16 countries participating in this tournament that is under occupation, which means we don't have the same resources," Alhasan said.
Iraq dominated possession, launching wave after wave of attack on the Palestine defence as the underdogs sat back and invited their more fancied opponents onto them.
But it took until the 19th minute for them to get their first real chance - a Yaser Kasim corner curling in nicely for Iraqforward Ahmed Yaseen, but he couldn't wrap his foot around the volley andpushed it wide.
Palestine then had its one chance of the half when Iraq keeper Jalal Hassan fluffed his punch from a corner when under pressure from Palestine's defender Abdallatif Albahdari.
A string of great saves from Palestinian goalie Tawfiq Abuhammad kept the game level - punching clear Waleed Salim's long-range effort, then pushing Dhurghami Ismael's fierce strike over the crossbar.
But of all the chances, their last of the first-half was the best when a great ball from Younus Mahmood found winger Amjed Kalaf, who couldn't control his shot - perhaps not helped by a tricky bounce.
The half-time break didn't stop the Iraqi pressure, and it took just two minutes for them to fashion another chance.
Ahmed produced a great ball for Younus, but he shot well wide when all alone in the box. He atoned almost immediately, beating
Albahdari, only for the Palestinian to get an outstretched leg to the ball.
Younus produced a powerful header from the resulting corner and drilled it into the back of the net in the 48th minute.
Palestine almost drew level immediately, when lone striker Ashraf Alfawaghra pinched the ball of an Iraqi defender only for Jalal to produce a great save from his shot.
Iraq should have doubled their lead in the 58th minute, when they were awarded a penalty, but Abuhammad saved Younus's weak spot kick.
Then Ahmed Yaseen calmly finished off another dangerous Waleed Salim run to make it 2-0 in the dying minutes of the game.
The Iraq-Iran game will kick off at Canberra Stadium at 5.30pm on Friday.
Iraq 2(Younus Mahmood 48, Ahmed Yaseen 88) btPalestine 0.
At Canberra Stadium. Crowd 10,235.
By Sydney Morning Herald
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