Doha Asian Games: Qatar, Iraq reach Final

Hosts Qatar ended two-time defending champions Iran’s hopes of a hat-trick in the Doha Asian Games men’s football competition with a 2-0 defeat in the semifinals yesterday while Iraq continued their fairytale run to reach the Final after shocking Korea Republic 1-0.

Sebastian Soria opened the scoring for the hosts midway through the first half and the game ended for Iran in the 74th minute when Hussain Yasser struck the second goal.

Iraq’s Samer Mujbir fired the only goal of the match in the 24th minute. But the win was marred by the second booking of Younis Mahmood in added time and Iraq will have to face off against Qatar in the December 15 Final without the ace Al Gharafa striker.