Iran, Iraq advance into knockouts

Abu Dhabi, UAE - Iran sank Vietnam and Iraq beat Yemen as the neighbours and arch-rivals powered into the Asian Cup round-of-16 on Saturday ahead of their highly anticipated group decider next week.

Sardar Azmoun struck both goals in Iran's 2-0 win in Abu Dhabi, while teenager Mohanad Ali's early solo strike kick-started Iraq's 3-0 victory in Sharjah.

Iran and Iraq will meet in Dubai on Wednesday to decide who tops Group D in a repeat of their combustible quarterfinal of 2015, which Iraq won on penalties.

Iran, looking to end a 43-year title drought since last winning Asian football's most coveted prize, could have scored four or five but for some poor finishing.

In Sharjah, 18 year old Ali scored a wonderful solo goal to put Iraq 1-0 up after 11 minutes. Bashar Resan doubled Iraq's lead midway through the first half while Alaa Abbas struck in injury time.

Saudis progress

And in a late Group E match on Saturday, Saudi Arabia beat Lebanon 2-0 for its second successsive win to ensure its progress into the last-16 phase.