Iraq win Arab Cup third place

Jeddah: A header by Alaa Abdul-Zahra helped World Cup 2014 hopefuls Iraq beat Saudi Arabia and win the third place in their Arab Cup 2012 play-off in Amman Jordan. The Zico-led Iraqis cheered in the 17 minute when Abdul-Zahra headed the ball in following an assist by Abbas Hussein Rahima at the Prince Abdullah al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The tournament was won by Morocco who defeated Libya 3-1 (pens). A total of 11 Arab nations including seven from Asia were participating in the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) championship that offers US$1 million in cash prize to the champions. Iraq are unbeaten with two points in Group B of the World Cup qualifiers and are at second position behind leaders Japan after drawing their matches against West Asian rivals Jordan and Oman. They will travel to Japan to take on the leaders when the qualifiers resume in September.