LONDON: Iraq illustrated why they could go all the way with an impressive and assured 3-0 win over Yemen in Sharjah.
The Lions of Mesopotamia never looked anything but winners in the Group D clash, victory confirming their presence in the second round, with Wednesday’s match against Iran set to decide who tops the group.
In the very early stages Yemen took the game to the favorites but from the moment Iraq began to dominate possession there was only going to be one winner.
They soon put Yemen under pressure and it was no surprise when Muhanad Ali put Iraq in front after just 11 minutes.
Yemen goalkeeper Saoud Al-Sowadi found himself under incessant pressure, facing wave after wave of attacks. He and the Yemen defence were not able to keep out the Iraqis and Al-Saowadi conceded the second goal in the 19th minute when Bashar Resan Bonyan’s strike from the edge of the box bounced off the right post before hitting the back of the net.
Iraq took their foot off the pedal and allowed Yemen the chance of pulling one back — Ahmed Saeed’s right-footed shot from outside the box well saved by Jalal Hassan Hachim in the Iraq goal.
There was never any real chance of a comeback, however, and Srecko Katanec’s team made sure of the three points with a goal in the dying minutes. Alaa Abbas scoring with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box to wrap up victory.
Iraq brush past Yemen to set up Iran decider
Iraq brush past Yemen to set up Iran decider
- Iraq to face rivals Iran to decide which side tops Group D.
Bayern confirms contract talks with England captain Harry Kane have begun
- The move to Germany saw him win a long-awaited first major trophy of his career as Bayern won the Bundesliga last season
FRANKFURT: Harry Kane could be set for a longer stay in Germany after Bayern Munich confirmed it’s in talks to extend the England captain’s contract.
Kane joined Bayern from Tottenham in 2023 on a contract running to the end of next season. The move to Germany saw him win a long-awaited first major trophy of his career as Bayern won the Bundesliga last season.
He’s been the Bundesliga’s top scorer twice since then and, with 21 goals in 19 Bundesliga games this season, could yet chase down Robert Lewandowski’s single-season record of 41 goals.
“We’re talking and it’s clear to everyone that there has to be a decision at some stage,” Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl said at a league event Monday. “We’re waiting for an answer from (defender Dayot Upamecano) and we’re talking with Harry.”
Kane has scored 119 goals in 126 games for Bayern — breaking longstanding German records along the way — and has 34 in 30 games for Bayern in all competitions this season.
Chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen indicated talks could move at a relaxed pace.
“Harry has a lot of trust. He feels very good in Munich,” Dreesen said in comments reported by German agency dpa. “We have absolutely no reason to hurry.”
