Basra, Iraq: Akram Afif scored twice in the first half and Almoez Ali added a third as Qatar
overcame hosts Iraq 3-2 at a packed Basra Stadium in the opening fixture of the Tri-nation
Friendship Tournament on Wednesday.

The brief football series is being organised by Iraq Football Association (IFA) to celebrate the
return of football to Basra for the first time in three decades.

Afif earned Al Annabi the lead in the 17th minute when he directed the ball to the bottom left
corner of the net with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box after receiving a cross from
Yousef Hassan. In the very next minute, Afif almost doubled Qatar’s lead but the ball flew inches
away from the goal post.

The hosts found an equalizer when Ahmed Yasin scored from the right side of the six yard box
to the bottom left corner in the 32st minute.

Afif once again put Qatar on top when he shot right into the net from 30 yards to beat Iraqi
goalkeeper in injury time to give his side a 2-1 lead.

When the second half began, Qatar continued to dominate the proceedings despite more than
65,000 supporters cheering in support of the home team.

In the 63rd minute, Al Duhail forward Ali netted another goal from close range to the bottom left
corner of the net after picking up the ball from skipper Hasan Al Haydos to give Qatar a 3-1
lead.

Four minutes later, Iraqi midfielder Hussein Ali reduced the goal deficit with a right-footed shot
from close range to the top right corner as a Qatari defender slipped and failed to stop the ball.

Qatari players were shown two yellow cards (Saad Al Sheeb – 83′ and Pedro Miguel 54′) during
the course of the game.

The hosts were giving their best effort to find a late equalizer, but coach Felix Sanchez’s boys were
the worthy winners of the opening fixture of the tournament.

Qatar take on Syria on March 24.