World Cup qualifiers: Hong Kong beaten 2-0 by Iraq in Basra; Paatelainen still winless
- Goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai in top form at Basra International Stadium as Hong Kong restrict home side to two goals
- With only one point from three games, coach Mixu Paatelainen is still in search of his first victory for Hong Kong after appointment in April
Iran thrashed visitors Cambodia 14-0 in another group C match at Azadi Stadium.
Against the 79th-ranked country in the world, Hong Kong, who are outside the top 100, conceded an early penalty when full-back Daniel Cancela was booked following a a poor tackle inside the box. Mohanad Ali’s spot kick, though, was deflected by Yapp.
Ali was in the thick of the action again on 15 minutes and came within a whisker of finding the target after being played deep inside the danger area. But the Al Duhail forward saw his close-range effort blocked.
Yaap then kept out Amjad Attwan’s long-range effort as Iraq turned up the tempo in an attempt to break the stalemate.
And the home side finally found a way through on 38 minutes when Ali glanced a header from inside the area to give Iraq a 1-0 lead going into the break.
Iraq maintained their edge in the second half as Ali, Alaa Ali-Mhawi and Humam Tariq caused all sorts of problems for Hong Kong and came close to stretching their lead.
Hong Kong had their first look at goal on 58 minutes but Alex Akande directed his header straight at goalkeeper Mohammed Hameed Farhan.
Ali Adnan made it 2-0 for Iraq with 10 minutes left when he converted from the spot after a goal-bound Ali was brought down by Cancela for their second penalty.
Hong Kong will not play again until next month when coach Mixu Paatalainen, who was appointed in April, and his side look for their first victory at their home venue in So Kon Po on November 14 against Bahrain.
