Iraqis display full might vs Philippines XI

MANILA, Philippines — Iraq rained goals on host Philippines in a 5-0 shutout that pushed the Filipinos to the brink in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Tuesday at the packed Rizal Memorial Stadium.

After needing a late goal to get rid of the pesky Pinoy booters in the first match in Basra, 1-0, the Lions of Mesopotamia went on a barrage in Manila and quickly seized control though the first-half brace of Aymen Hussein (14th and 36th minutes) sandwiching Amir Al Ammari’s 30th-minute strike.

Zidane Iqbal (67th) and Zaid Tahseen (77th) completed the visitors’ dominance and sweep of the new-look Filipinos in their Group F duels.

The road triumph lifted the unbeaten Iraqis (12 points on four straight wins) into the third round of the WCQ and outright entry to the next AFC Asian Cup with two games to spare in group play.

Along the way, they stranded the hosts at fourth spot with one point on a draw against three setbacks, jeopardizing the latter’s aspirations. Indonesia, which beat Vietnam in Hanoi, 3-0, sits at second with seven points (2-1-1 win-draw-loss) while the Vietnamese run third with three points (1-0-3).

“My apologies to the 10,014 fans who were in the stadium and also to people who were watching at home,” Philippine coach Tom Saintfiet said as he started the post-match presscon.

The 139th-ranked Filipinos must now sweep their next two assignments – both away – against Vietnam and Indonesia in June to stay in the hunt for the second berth to the next round. But first, Iraq has to beat Indonesia and Vietnam to keep this door open.