The 2007 champions finished second in Group D behind Iran, but will be underdogs against an Australian team out for revenge after Iraq defeated them 3-1 on the way to Asian Cup glory four years ago.[break]
Iraq have not hit the heights of last time, but they didn´t need to against North Korea in front of just over 4,000 fans at Al-Rayyan Stadium, making for a low-key atmosphere for what was a high-stakes encounter.
The holders made three changes from the side that laboured to a 1-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates and it was one of them, midfielder Kerrar Jasim, who fired the champions to victory on 22 minutes.
"We deserved this victory. We especially played very well in the first half," Iraq´s German coach Wolfgang Sidka said.
"In the last 20 minutes North Korea did everything to get back in the match so we lost the possession of the ball, but not too much."
Playing Australia on Saturday will pit Sidka against his compatriot Holger Osieck.
"I know him very well, we know each other well. It´s two German coaches against each other, though both of us would prefer to play against each other later in the tournament."
North Korean coach Jo Tong-Sop said it had been a "psychological blow" to concede an early goal and said it might be time to ditch the defensive tactics.
"We got good experience during this tournament. We learned that defence is important, but to attack is even more important," he said.
"We will try to play a more attacking game in future."
Asked if his job was in peril, he said: "I take responsibility as the head coach. I cannot say yes or no."
North Korea, cheered on by about 250 fans -- all men wearing shirts and ties -- came into the match knowing that they needed to win to go through.
But rather than attack, they were content to play a patient waiting game. Jo said they abandoned the 5-3-2 formation deployed at the World Cup to a theoretically more attacking 4-4-2, but there was no sign it made them any more potent.
Iraq were within inches of taking a lead with the first chance of the game shortly after the quarter hour mark when defender Samal Saeed headed down a corner for striker Mustafa Kareem, who was lurking in the six-yard box.
But Kareem, brought in to replace Ala´a Abdulzehra, succeeded only in hitting the bar.
Shortly after Iraq were ahead. Korea keeper Ri Myong-Guk could only parry Kareem´s stinging shot into the path of Jasim, who fired into an open net.
It was not until 30 minutes in that North Korea had their first chance. But forward Jong Tae-Se failed to get hold of the ball and the opportunity was gone.
The North were in disarray and in danger of losing their heads as they committed a series of crude fouls.
The ever-dangerous Kareem should have put his side 2-0 up on 37 minutes but he somehow volleyed over from close range as Iraq continued to press.
Iraq might have expected the North to throw everything at them after the break but Korea instead brought off defender Ri Jun-Il for Pak Nam-Chol -- another defender.
They now had two players on the pitch called Pak Nam-Chol and reverted to what looked like a three-man defence.
The North were marginally more threatening after that, but they created only one real chance and head home with no goals after a 0-0 draw with UAE and a 1-0 defeat to group winners Iran.
Dominant Iran see off UAE in Asia Cup
A dominant Iran cruised past the United Arab Emirates 3-0 at the Asian Cup Wednesday to finish the group stage as the only side with a 100 percent record.
Striker Arash Afshin opened the scoring in the 70th minute only to be sent off for a fierce challenge on UAE goalkeeper Majed Naser minutes later.
Mohammad Nori doubled their lead on 83 minutes and UAE defender Walid Abbas scored into his own net three minutes into stoppage time as Team Melli chalked up their third straight win in Group D.
After Iran secured a quarter-final spot against South Korea with wins over old foes Iraq and World Cup returnee North Korea, coach Afshin Ghotbi fielded four players for the first time in the tournament.
He rested Gholam Reza Rezaei, Karim Ansari Fard and Iman Mobali who scored a goal each in the last two matches.
In the first minute at Qatar Sports Club, Iran captain and Osasuna striker Masoud Shojai had the opening chance of the game, sending his free kick from 30 metres into Naser´s arms.
UAE captain Subait Khater, meanwhile, saw his own 30-metre free kick find its way into the hands of Iran´s second-choice custodian Khosro Heidari soon after.
On the break in the 18th minute, UAE striker Ismaeli Matar should have scored, trapping a cross on the edge of the box to face Heidari one-on-one, but his right-foot shot swerved toward the near side of the net.
The UAE squandered another chance five minutes later when Ahmed Khalil´s header bounced short on a goalmouth cross from Khalid Sebil.
Iran´s offensive machine shifted into gear on the half hour as Nori´s left foot unleashed a screamer from the edge of the penalty area but it zipped off the left post.
Two minutes later, Ehsan Haji Safi caught a long pass on the right edge of the box and shot through two defenders into the side of the net.
On the stroke of half-time, Matar caught the ball on the left and weaved past two defenders but his Shot flew off the far-side post.
Reza Rezaei and Mobali were sent in after the interval to boost the Iranian offensive and in the 52nd minute Reza Rezaei fed a right cross to Mohammad Gholami who slapped the ball too straight to deceive Naser.
Naser again responded quickly to deflect Ghasem Hadadifar´s one-touch left-foot volley from outside the box on a throw-in on the hour mark.
Arash Afshin finally drew first blood on 70 minutes in a run of Iran´s fierce goalmouth attacks.
Mohammad Gholami headed a right cross against the bar and headed the rebound off the bar again. Afshin picked up the ball and slotted in past Naser.
Only three minutes later, Afshin was sent off following a violent aerial challenge to the UAE goalkeeper inside the box.
Iran´s second goal came in a flowing attack as Nori latched onto a wall pass against Heidari and banged home past Naser.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Abbas shot into his own net in trying to clear a long ball on an Iranian counter-attack and to make matters worse Khalid Sebil was sent off late on to cap a miserable night for UAE.
Related story
Iran welcomes election of Allawi as Iraq prime minister - Iran...
