SYDNEY: Yaser Kasim’s wizardry earned Iraq a 1-0 win victory Jordan on Monday, while Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa helped engineer Japan’s 4-0 rout of tournament newcomers as the last two winners of the Asian Cup won their Group ‘D’ openers.

There will be little time for celebration, though, with Japan and Iraq meeting on Friday in a match that will likely determine which team tops the group.

The late match between the Middle East rivals looked to be heading for a gritty draw before a magical goal from midfielder Kasim gave Iraq a crucial win over a 10-man Jordan as they strive to recapture the title they won in fairytale fashion in 2007.

Kasim, who plays for Swindon Town in the third tier of English football, scored the winner in the 77th minute at Brisbane’s Lang Park with a touch of Messi magic and a little slice of luck.

Taking the ball from outside the Jordan box, the 23-year-old slalomed his way past three defenders, then unleashed his shot at goal which took a deflection, leaving Jordan captain and goalkeeper Amer Shafi with no chance of making the save.

Iraq now sit behind Japan on goal difference after the opening games in the group and they will have high hopes of reaching the last eight, where they could potentially face bitter rivals Iran.

“The first match in the competition is very important,” said Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil. “The Jordanian team was very strong but our players did their job today and we have three points in the group stage.”

Defending champions Japan took a 3-0 lead in the first half with goals from Yasuhito Endo, Shinji Okazaki and Honda’s penalty in wet and windy Newcastle. Maya Yoshida scored after the break from Kagawa’s cross.

“In modern football it’s not easy to win by four goals,” Japan coach Javier Aguirre said. “So as for tonight’s result I am happy by winning by four goals.”

Monday also featured the tournament’s first red cards after Ahmed Mahajna was sent off for Palestine and Jordan’s Anas Bani Yaseen also got his marching orders.

Group ‘A’ is back in action on Tuesday, with 2011 finalists Australia against Oman and two-time champions South Korea playing Kuwait.

Published in Dawn January 13th , 2014

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