Iraq loses 1/3 to Bahrain in Gulf Cup

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq’s football team lost 1/3 to Bahrain in a game played on the Bushir field in the Omani capital Muscat on Sunday as part of the 19th Gulf Tournament. Bahrain scored a lead when striker Abdullah Ismail invaded the Iraqi net at the 27th minute right after the referee sent off Iraq’s Haytham Kadhem for two books of offences. Another Iraqi player, Basem Abbas, exited the green pitch during the first half at the 40th minute after an injury. Bahrain’s second goal was scored by Mohammed Adnan from a penalty kick after the referee showed the red card to Iraqi goalkeeper Nouri Sabri for committing a foul in his penalty box against Bahrain’s striker at the 65th minute. The Iraqi team was off the mark at last at the 80th minute when striker Younes Mahmoud scored his team’s only goal from a penalty kick. Bahrain, which was apparently dominating the course of the second half, gained a two-goal deficit when Saleh Dekheil scored his team’s third goal at the 91st minute, a few minutes before the referee’s whistle blew. AmR (P) 1