Oman's Ahmad Kano scored on the penalty spot to hold Iraq to a draw on Monday, thus setting the three-time winners on course for a must-win situation in their next match against the United Arab Emirates.
The Iraqis were winning up until the 14th minute, through a Yasser Kassem volley past Ali Al-Habsi, after the Omani keeper had pushed a headed effort back into play, while Kano levelled six minutes into the second half on the penalty spot.
The 2013 runners-up Iraq now face a daunting task if they are to make it to the last four, currently rooted to the bottom of the group after earning one point in two matches, with a win against the UAE on Thursday their only remaining option. However even that might not be enough if Oman beat leaders Kuwait.
Source: KUNA