BANGKOK, July 13: Iraq pulled off a stunning 3-1 upset win over Australia at the Asian Cup on Friday to leave the tournament favourites in danger of an embarrassing early exit. Nashat Akram scored from a free kick in the first half, and Hawar Mulla Mohammad and Karrar Jassim Mohammad finished the Australians off by scoring in the second after the Socceroos had drawn level through their captain Mark Viduka.

The result put Iraq, who were unable to play or train in their homeland before the tournament because of the war, level with Thailand on four points at the top of the Group A standings. Australia are level on one point with Oman.

Australia, making their first appearance at the Asian Cup and regarded among the title favourites, play co-hosts on Thailand on Monday needing a win to have any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals. Iraq play Oman.

Also on Friday, Japan got their bid for a third Asian Cup title in a row firmly back on course with a convincing 3-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Hanoi.

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Naohiro Takahara scored twice as Japan rebounded from a disappointing 1-1 draw with Qatar in their opening match to go top of Group B on goal difference above co-hosts Vietnam.

Takahara put Japan in front after 22 minutes with a powerful header and he doubled the lead five minutes later, volleying fiercely past Nasser for his third goal of the tournament.

Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura added a third from the penalty spot four minutes before halftime.

UAE’s plight went from bad to worse to worse when Basheer Saeed was sent off for a nasty foul on Keita Suzuki eight minutes into the second half.

The UAE managed a consolation goal in the 66th minute through Saeed Al Kaas but it came too late to prevent them from becoming the first team to be eliminated from the Asian Cup.

Japan face Vietnam and Qatar meet the UAE in the final round of Group B games on Monday.—Agencies