Thailand hold Iraq in Asian Cup opener

The AFC Asian Cup is a football competition run by the Asian Football Confederation. The winning national team is proclaimed champions of Asia and qualifies for the FIFA Confederations Cup. This edition of the tournament is held in South East Asian nations of, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. Japan won the last AFC Asian Cup.
In the opening game of the 2007 Asian Cup, co-hosts Thailand drew 1-1 with Iraq on a very wet night in Bangkok.
Both goals came in an entertaining first half at Rajamangala National Stadium in the Thai capital.
The Iraqis conceded a dubious sixth-minute penalty before equalising through skipper Younis Mahmoud in the 31st minute but failed to deliver the knockout blow in a 1-1 draw at rainswept Rajamangala Stadium.
Iraq's Portuguese coach Jorvan Vieira said reporters. "There was a lot of rain... a lot of water in the stadium, my team is a good tactical team but we cannot play in those conditions."
The Iraqis took 14 shots in the match, but only four after half time.
Despite dominating possession and some enterprising attack, it took until the 32nd minute for Iraq to equalize.
The action in Group A continues on Sunday when Australia takes on Oman.