Iraqis keep qualification hopes alive

AFC - Ahmed Iyad scored with 19 minutes remaining to earn Al Quwa Al Jawiya a 1-1 draw with Iranian champions Saipa on Wednesday to keep their hopes of progressing from Group B alive.

Kianoush Rahmati had given Ali Daei's side the lead in the 63rd minute when he converted from the penalty spot after Ebrahim Sadeghi was upended in the area.

But the Iraqi champions pulled level just eight minutes later when Iyad struck after Haitham Kadhum's chip into the area gave him time to fire his first-time shot past Rahman Ahmadi.

Saipa went into the clash without midfielder Mageed Gholamnejad, who was suspended after he was sent off in the previous match, while Kazem Bozchelloo missed the game after receiving two yellow cards in the
competition.

The first chance fell to Saipa in the 32nd minute Sadeghi's cross was met by Milad Zanidpour's shot but Al Quwa Al Jawiya goalkeeper Wisam Kassid saved before the Air Force defence cleared the danger.

Sadeghi went close six minutes later when his shot slammed into the back of his teammate Amir Vaziri before hitting the post.

Three minutes after the hour mark Saipa finally found a way past the Iraqi defence when Sadeghi was brought down inside the penalty area by Mokhalad Ali and Kianoush Rahmati made no mistake from the spot.

However, Al Quwa Al Jawiya levelled the scores on 71 minutes when Kadhum lifted the ball over the Saipa defence to release Iyad, whose first-time left-foot shot beat Saipa goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi.

Two minutes later the Iraqis almost claimed the winner with Iyad missing from a similar position from which he scored the equaliser, only this time Ahmadi denied the Al Quwa Al Jawiya striker.

Four minutes into stoppage time Saipa could have snatched a win, but Wisam Kassid blocked Karim Ansari's effort to earn both sides a share of the points and leave Saipa on top of the standings with two games remaining.