Iraq loses to Uzbekistan at Asian Cup
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-07-19 09:08

Iraq returned to a major competition for the first time since the U.S.-led invasion a year ago, losing to Uzbekistan 1-0 despite a second-half surge in the Asian Cup opener for both teams.

Mirdjalal Kasimov scored the lone goal on a free kick in the 22nd minute that put Uzbekistan atop Group C.

In other games, Turkmenistan tied three-time champion Saudi Arabia 2-2 and Indonesia beat Qatar 2-1.

Iraq's appearance comes two weeks after Germany's Bernd Strange resigned as coach. Under new coach Adnan Hamd, the team was surprisingly sharp with its passing and showed little sign of fatigue despite hampered training at home.

"To be honest, I think we played hard and played a good game," Hamd said. "Although we lost, I think we still have a chance."

Kasimov bent a kick over the Iraqi wall and past goalkeeper Ahmed Jaber. Uzbekistan dominated the rest of the half before a crowd of about 2,000 at newly built Longquanyi Stadium. Iraq dominated the second half, getting its best chance from Razzaq Farhan, who moved the ball the length of the field.

Both teams finished with 10 men. Uzbekistan defender Alexey Nikolaev was ejected in the 83rd minute for a second yellow card and Mohammed Emad was sent off for Iraq with a red card in the 87th. 

Turkmenistan hold Saudi Arabia

Asian Cup debutants Turkmenistan grabbed a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia courtesy of a Begenchmuhammed Kuliyev injury-time goal in a Group C opening round match on Sunday.
The central Asian side created numerous chances and had the better of the match against their heavily-favoured Saudi opponents, who have won the competition three times.

Turkmenistan began strongly and had one chance cleared off the line in the third minute before Nazar Bayramov powered home a header three minutes later.

Saudi striker Yasser Al Qahtani, who scored both of his side's goals, equalised from the penalty spot three minutes later when Abdulrahman Al Bishi was upended.

Al Qahtani gave the injury-depleted Saudis the lead in the 55th-minute with a header before Kuliyev's 30-metre free kick in the second minute of added time skipped past the unsighted Saudi goalkeeper Tariq Al Hargan, who had earlier saved a second-half penalty.

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