Asian Cup: Iraq 1 North Korea 0

Iraq limped into the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup after a lacklustre 1-0 win over North Korea in Doha on Wednesday.

The defending champions secured second spot in Group D with the win, but will need a much improved performance when they face Asia’s top ranked side, Australia, in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Kerrar Jasim’s 22nd minute strike was all that separated the two sides at the Al Rayyan Stadium, with Iraq needing to fend off a late North Korean rearguard to seal the three points.

Iraq went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock on 17 minutes when Samal Saeed’s goal-bound header was deflected onto the crossbar by team-mate Mustafa Kareem.

But Mustafa made amends just five minutes later by setting up Iraq’s opener.

The striker found the ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a powerful shot which North Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong-Guk could only parry, allowing Kerrar Jasim the easiest of tap-ins from the rebound.

While Iraq were pushing forward in numbers, North Korea’s only avenue to goal looked to be striker Jong Tae-Se, who was playing a lone hand up forward.

Jong had his side’s two best chances of the half, first seeing his curling free kick well saved by Iraqi goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid before spurning a great opportunity when his heavy touch cut short a free run at goal.

Kareem was proving dangerous up front for Iraq and should have had a goal of his own on 36 minutes when Mahdi Kareem broke away down the left flank.

The winger delivered a precise cross into the area and Kareem got to the ball ahead of keeper Ri, only to misdirect his volley with an open goal to aim at.

Younus Mahmood found himself through on goal in the early stages of the second half after a sloppy North Korean pass, but a desperate challenge from Pak Nam-Chol blocked his shot.

North Korea were becoming more adventurous in the second half and Jong again went close after connecting with Jon Kwang-Ik’s cross on 62 minutes, but the striker could not get his header on target.

Despite having the lead Iraq were looking anything but dominant in the second period, and some lacklustre defending nearly let Ryang Yong-Gi sneak between the centre backs and poach a goal.

Iraq were holding on for dear life in the final 10 minutes and the Koreans were again unlucky not to find an equaliser when Hong Yong-Jo seized on Basem Abbas’ poor clearance and fired a volley from the edge of the area, with Ahmed Ibrahim’s deflection pushing the shot wide.