Iraq nail sorry Australia in Asian Cup

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BANGKOK, Jul 13 (AFP): Australia were booed off the field with their Asian Cup hopes in tatters after a disastrous 3-1 defeat to Iraq Friday.
The Socceroos fell behind after a 22nd-minute goalkeeping clanger by Mark Schwarzer, only to equalise through Mark Viduka but they were badly exposed defensively again for the Iraqis to wrap it up with two more goals.
The bumbling loss heaps further pressure on under-fire coach Graham Arnold, with chants of "Arnold out" from the travelling Australian fans.
Iraq now share the lead in Group A with Thailand, 2-0 winners over Oman Thursday, with the pair favourites to go into the quarter-finals after Monday's final pool games.
The Thais need only a point against Australia, while Iraq also only require a draw against Gulf rivals Oman to move into the last eight.
Australia, who again struggled for any semblance of the form they showed at last year's World Cup, must beat the Thais to stand any chance of going through.
It was another night of humiliation for the one-time tournament favourites who needed a Tim Cahill stoppage-time goal to salvage a draw with Oman last Sunday.
Schwarzer badly misjudged a lofted long-range free kick from midfielder Nashat Akram midway through the opening half with calamitious results.
The Middlesbrough goalkeeper stayed on his line and was deceived by the flight and the close attention of Salih Sadir for the ball to sail past him into the net to give the Iraqis the crucial opening goal in stifling heat.
It was just the spur the Iraqis needed and it was like a hammer blow for the Australians, who spoke before the match of the importance of scoring the first goal.
The Socceroos offered little in attack in the opening 45 minutes with lone striker Viduka held in check and only coming close to scoring with a sizzling free kick in the 31st minute.
Frustrations boiled over in the trying conditions with the Australians receiving three yellow cards -- midfielder Jason Culina, defender Lucas Neill and midfielder Vince Grella in the opening term.