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Summary Asian powers Iran and Japan, however, saw their campaigns falter after playing draws.
Iraq got its World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a 2-0 away win at Singapore, as did North Korea with a 1-0 home victory over Tajikistan and Thailand with a 3-0 win against Oman.Asian powers Iran and Japan, however, saw their campaigns falter with Iran drawing 1-1 against Qatar while Japan was held 1-1 at Uzbekistan.Jordan notched a second consecutive victory by beating China 2-1 after upsetting Iraq earlier this month. Bahrain swept past Indonesia 2-0 while Lebanon left the United Arab Emirates World Cup hopes in tatters after it defeated the Gulf team 3-1.Iraq, coached by former Brazil great Zico, suffered an upset home defeat by Jordan on the opening match day last Friday, but made up for that with a much-needed win at Singapore.With its expectations high since winning the 2007 Asian Cup, Iraq could have been deflated by the disappointing defeat by Jordan — but produced a good performance on the second match day in the penultimate group stage.The Iraqis controlled play throughout the game, missing several close-range chances in the first half. It kept the pressure on at the start of the second half and broke through in the 50th minute when striker Alaa Abdul-Zahra headed home.Captain Younis Mahmoud sealed the visitors win with a second goal in the 86th minute.Iraq has three points from two games, while Singapore — which lost 2-1 at China on Friday — has no points.North Korea also took its first points of the campaign by defeating Tajikistan in Pyongyang. North Korea, which qualified for the 2010 World Cup, had been cruelly denied an impressive away draw at Japan in its opening game, conceding the sole goal deep into stoppage time.
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