Iraq knocks Yemen out of WCup qualifier

Iraq drew 0-0 with Yemen on Thursday to advance to the third round of Asia's World Cup qualifiers after a 2-0 aggregate victory for the war-torn nation.

The match was played in the United Arab Emirates after FIFA determined it was too dangerous to hold it in the Yemen capital Sanaa due to months of political unrest there.

After winning the first leg 2-0, Iraq was happy to defend for much of the match and neither side threatened early on.

But with 20 minutes remaining, Yemen pressure opened up the game. Iraq's best chance came in the 79th minute when a free kick from captain Younis Mahmoud grazed the woodwork.

Six minutes later, Yemen's Ala Mohammed al-Sasi's free kick from just outside the penalty area flew over the crossbar.