Skip to main content

Iraq 1 Australia 1: Socceroos stumble again in qualifying

Australia lost ground in Group B of AFC World Cup qualifying as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq on Thursday.

This was a fourth consecutive qualifying stalemate for Ange Postecoglou's side, who had won their opening two group games against Iraq and United Arab Emirates.

With six minutes of the half to play Leckie met Mooy's corner superbly and powered his head inside the left-hand post.

Iraq were grateful to Mohammed Hamed as he denied Robbie Kruse, Tomi Juric and Mooy either side of the break, while Langerak was alert to parry Ahmed Ibrahim's effort.

As the game wore on Iraq found another gear and secured a point after 76 minutes as Ahmed Yasin slid in to convert Ali Adnan's low cross from the left, Langerak having been unable to claim.

They needed a piece of expert defending in stoppage time, though, as the Socceroos almost stole victory in the closing moments - Tim Cahill's header needing to be cleared off the line from Mooy's corner.