NORTH Korea, the surprise team of the 1966 World Cup, stepped up their bid to reach next year's finals by firing three goals in 15 minutes to overturn a 2-0 deficit and beat Iraq 3-2 last night in Qatar.
A later match between two of the most fancied teams, Japan and Saudi Arabia, provided few thrills and ended in a goalless draw.
North Korea, the only Asian team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals thanks to their 1-0 win over Italy in the 1966 edition in England, stunned 10-man Iraq in the opening game of the Asian final qualifying round.
Iraq, determined to reach the US finals to snub their international detractors, played some delightful football in the first half but lost it completely after Saad Benyamin was sent off early in the second half.
Iraq had dominated the first half with playmakers Ahmad Radhi and Sami Hassan effectively varying the method of attack well to outwit the North Koreans.
Two teams from Iraq, North Korea, South Korea, Iran, Japan and Saudi Arabia will qualify from the Qatar round.