Iraq defeated Palestine 2-0 in their final match of Group D on Tuesday night in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup to book a quarterfinal clash with Iran.
Here are three points from the gripping game in Canberra:
1. Iraq still not finding their groove
The Lions of Mesopotamia have the six points they need to go through to the last eight. It is hoped that the immediacy of the knockout stage provides the necessary spark to get going, just as it did in 2007. The win over Jordan was hard-fought, and while Iraq troubled Japan at times, it was not enough.
This then, was not just a game to get the points necessary -- it was also about finding form ahead of the really big tests. It was there in flashes. A quick counter attack midway through the first half was a thing of beauty. It was launched by a backheeled flick by Justin Meram and ended with a shot launched above the bar by Dhurgham Ismail.
Swindon Town's Yaser Kasim was starting to get into the game. The graceful playmaker probed here and there but was unable to open up a red defence that was more disciplined and confident than against Jordan four days previously. The first half ended goalless and there was a growing sense of frustration among the men in white.
In the end, the goal came from a familiar and simple source. Younis Mahmoud didn't get where he is today by heading perfect corner kicks over the bar. Soon after the restart, the old Desert Fox, slowing down by the minute and looking more like the Desert Ox these days, did what he does best. He then threatened to really start winding back the years to the heady days of 2007 but rolled a penalty towards the grateful gloves of the Palestinian keeper. Ahmed Yasin added a fine second late in the game.
The win was rarely in doubt, though a point was always enough, yet Iraq are still not yet equal to the sum of their talented parts and that has to change soon.
2. Palestine without points but not pointless
As coach Ahmad Al Hassan said before the game, the jump in the quality of opposition that the team usually faces and the standard here has been a big one. Going from the AFC Challenge Cup final against the Philippines to a star-studded Japan team was always going to be tough.
Losing 4-0 to the likes of Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki was painful but expected. Losing to rivals Jordan 5-1 hurt even more because the game was nowhere near as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. However, the goal from Jaka Hbaisha was a special moment.
Facing an Iraq team that needed to win to be sure of a place in the last eight was another big ask. But they tackled it with gusto. Had the ball bounced better from a 20th minute corner, Palestine could have easily taken the lead.
Defensively, this was a solid performance. Tawfiq Abuhammad in goal barely put a finger wrong, capping a great display with a penalty save. Abdellatif Bahdari was a red rock at the back upon which a number of Iraqi attacks crashed. There was a lot to encourage especially as Palestine have got better with every game, showing what a little tournament knowhow can actually do.
Three defeats does not mean it was a waste of time. The team was well-received and well-supported in Australia and in football terms, the profile of Palestine has never been higher.
And there is the experience factor too. It may be that the players were just happy to be here but being here is a valuable learning lesson. Playing against Japan will only make them stronger. Playing on this kind of stage can only help them get noticed by clubs overseas -- something crucial in terms of personal and collective development. And playing here makes it more likely that they can make it to the 2019 tournament.
3. Iran and Iraq is going to be quite a clash
An Asian Cup quarterfinal between these two West Asian rivals could be the game of the tournament. There is no love lost between them. These two regional giants bring lots of fans and noise. The Australian capital, usually quiet in the summer month of January when the politicians are on holidays, is going to wonder what has hit it.
The styles are different too. Iran, have been impressive while not really impressing. They've been solid with three wins, no goals conceded and are full of confidence. They're looking ominous with a coach who is focused only on this tournament. Carlos Queiroz is not interested in building a team for the future, he simply wants to win here and now. Iran have the ability -- a vital one in a tournament -- to win when not playing well, which something that is not shared by all of the other seven side in the knockout stage.
Iraq have the flair with the likes of Yaser Kasim and Humam Tariq -- rested here- -- and the talismanic striker Younis Mahmoud. He may not be the force of old, but he still has the ability to decide a big game -- and an Asian Cup quarterfinal against Iran is certainly that.