Dubai: Emad Redha scored an opportunistic goal against leaders Australia to help Iraq keep their hopes alive in the Asian Group A qualifiers for the 2010 Fifa World Cup on Saturday.

Redha's strike came on the 28th minute after wingback Bassam Abbas had come close on two occasions within as many minutes.

Moving down the left flank, Redha saw goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer leaving his post in anticipation of a
cross and the nippy defender sent in a curling ball that crashed deep into the top corner of the net.