Kadhim's hits sublime goal as Iraq beat Yemen

The Iraqi players celebrate their team's second goal against Yemen.

For a team that had lost seven of their eight previous international matches - including a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Iran in their Asian Cup Group D opener - Yemen knew stopping a talented Iraqi team in their second game would be a massive challenge.
And it didn't help their cause when Hussein Ahmed Al Ghazi, their attacking player, sent a poor back pass in his own half, allowing Iraq's 18-year-old sensation Mohanad Ali Kadhim to gain possession.
Kadhim, a supremely gifted attacking player who has made a dream start to his international career with four goals in his last six matches, then produced a moment of pure magic.
With the ball glued to his feet, he made a darting run to the Yemeni box, leaving two defenders for dead only to find three more defenders blocking his path to the goal.
Showing impeccable control under pressure, he paused and moved back towards the edge of the box before hitting the back of the net with a fantastic right-footer.  
Iraq eventually won the contest 3-0 on Saturday at the Sharjah Stadium to become the second team from Group D to qualify for the Round of 16.
Earlier, Iran had already earned their ticket to the next round with a 2-0 win over Vietnam in Saturday's first game in Abu Dhabi.
Yemen's last victory in an international game against minnows Nepal in March last year. They struggled again on Saturday against an Iraqi team that are still struggling to find their rhythm.
And their victory in the second group game was inspired by the individual brilliance of their teen sensation - Kadhim.
Kadhim showed why he has been hailed as the brightest youngster in Asian football with his speed and that amazing ability to beat defenders.
His goal not only sparked wild celebrations among Iraqi fans, but it also made his team's Slovenian coach Srecko Katanec jump for joy.
Iraq's second goal was also the result of individual brilliance.
Bashar Resan Bonyan, a 22-year-old attacking midfielder who plays his club football in Iran, scored from a superb right-footer from the edge of the box in the 19th minute to put his team in command.  
Bonyan was in the thick of the action again in the second half when he sent a beautiful through ball to Kadhim in the 64th minute only for the latter to hit the post.
Four minutes later, Kadhim went on a mazy run from the left flank, embarrassing two Yemeni defenders with his strength, speed and skills but his shot from outside the box flew over the cross-bar.
Their third goal eventually came in the 91st minute when substitute Alaa Abbas Abdulnabi scored from a crisp left-footer from inside the box after some brilliant work in the right flank from Mohammad Dawood Yaseen.
With their second straight win - they beat Vietnam 3-2 in their dramatic opening game, Iraq may have booked their place in the second round, but the lack of creativity in their midfield play would be a big concern for their coach.
That's one area the 2007 Asian Cup champions need to look on when they play arch-rivals Iran in their final group game at Al Maktoum Stadium on Wednesday.
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com