Iraq made certain of a place in the Asian Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Palestine in Canberra on Tuesday.
Japan's 2-0 win against Jordan meant that the result, in the end, did not alter the 2007 champions' standing in Group D, but the runners-up made hard work of beating a Palestine side who had conceded nine goals in their opening two fixtures.
Despite dominating possession and chances in the opening period, Iraq struggled to find way past goalkeeper Tawfiq Ali – making his first appearance of the tournament.
However, a bright start to the second half brought reward for Radhi Shenaishil's men, with Younis Mahmoud heading in from a corner after 48 minutes.
The captain had a chance to double his tally shortly before the hour mark when Iraq benefited from a questionable penalty decision, but Ali capped his impressive display by saving the spot-kick.
The goalkeeper was finally beaten for a second time in the 88th minute, as Ahmed Yasin made the points, and progression, safe for Iraq.
Palestine made seven changes to the side that lost 5-1 to Jordan last time out and immediately came under pressure at the back, with Justin Meram barging his way into the penalty area before sending a weak effort into the arms of Ali.
Yasin diverted the ball wide from a corner as Iraq pushed, before Palestine went even closer at the other end - with several players unable to get a decisive touch in a goalmouth scramble.
Dhurgham Ismail fired just over as Iraq failed to cap a swift counter-attacking move with a goal, and Yaser Kasim's effort on the half-hour mark could only sting the hands of Ali.
The shot-stopper kept out a header from Mahmoud as the match approached half-time, and the Iraq captain – without a club side since leaving Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli in 2013 - fired wide a few moments after the restart.
However, Mahmoud finally got his goal in the 48th minute, powering home a header from substitute Ali Adnan's corner for his first of the tournament.
Palestine should have been level within a minute, but Jalal Hassan Hachim got down well to keep out Ashraf Nu'man Al-Fawaghra's effort when one-on-one.
Yasin worked his way into area only to see an effort blocked by Ali, and the goalkeeper was on hand once again to keep out Iraq's golden 59th-minute opportunity from the penalty spot.
Ahmed Harbi was harshly penalised for bringing down Meram just inside the area – despite being the last man, the Palestine defender escaped with a booking – but Mahmoud could not find the net.
That missed chance mattered little, however, with Yasin burying a low effort from the edge of the box two minutes from time after being teed up by Salim.
