Algeria beat 10-man Iraq to cruise into quarters

DOHA: Defending champions Algeria punished 10 man Iraq 2 0 to reach the quarter finals of the FIFA Arab Cup in style, topping Group D at Khalifa Inter...

DOHA: Defending champions Algeria punished 10-man Iraq 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup in style, topping Group D at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.

Already-qualified Iraq paid the price for a fifth-minute red card to Hussein Ali as Algeria dominated the match with Mohamed Amine Tougai opening the scoring in first-half stoppage time and an own goal by Suad Natiq doubling their lead early in the second half.

Algeria finished the group stage unbeaten on seven points, followed by Iraq on six. Algeria will face the United Arab Emirates in the quarter-finals at Al Bayt Stadium on Friday, while Iraq take on Jordan the same day for a spot in the semi-finals. 

Meanwhile, Bahrain ended their campaign on a high, defeating Sudan 3-1 in a simultaneous match, while Sudan finished at the bottom of the group with a single point.

Iraq got off to a troubling start in front of over 34,000 spectators when Hussein Ali was sent off in the fifth minute for a dangerous foul on Yacine Brahimi. Algeria briefly thought they had a penalty soon after, but VAR ruled Tougai offside in the build-up.