Ali Adnan stars in Iraq’s win over Iran [divider]
Iraq beat Iran 7-6 on penalties at the Canberra Stadium to reach the semi-finals of the 2015 Asian Cup.
The Middle Eastern rivals drew 1-1 in regulation time and scored two goals each in extra-time to force a thrilling penalty shoot out.
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Iran took the lead in the first half when Sardar Azmoun scored but were soon on the back foot as Mehdrad Pooladi got sent off on 43 minutes.
Ahmed Yasin equalised for Iraq early in the second half but neither side was able to break the deadlock and prevent the game going into extra-time.
Younis Mahmoud thought he had scored the winner for Iraq two minutes into extra time but Iran fought back and levelled the score through Morteza Pouraliganji on 103 minutes.
There was still more drama as Dhurgham Ismail put Iraq ahead for the second time in the game with just four minutes left but there was a final twist as Reza Choochannejhad equalised for Iran, forcing the game into a penalty shoot out.
Rizespor fullback Ali Adnan replaced Abdul-Zahra on 65 minutes and scored Iraq’s fourth penalty in the shoot out.
Adnan joined Rizespor for €500,000 following an impressive display in the U20 World Cup.
The 21-year-old first made a name for himself helping guide the Iraq U20 national team to the semi-finals of the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
