FOOTBALL – IRAQ and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) shared a 1-1 draw in Abu Dhabi yesterday to leave their World Cup qualifying playoff finely poised ahead of the second leg in Basra on Tuesday.
Luton Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi gave the Iraqis the lead in the 10th minute but a header by Luanzinho eight minutes later secured a draw for Cosmin Olaroiu’s hosts.
The winners of the two-legged clash will advance to an intercontinental playoff in March that will determine the final qualifier for the expanded 48-team finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
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