Nay Pyi Taw: Ahmed Al Sadi’s second-half free-kick earned Qatar a 1-1 draw with 2012 finalists Iraq in the AFC U-19 Championship on Sunday at Wunna Theikdi Stadium, in a result which leaves Group D with all to play for ahead of the final round of group games.

Iraq captain Bashar Resan had given his side the lead on 38 minutes from the spot, but Al Sadi’s riposte seven minutes after the re-start was a deserved leveler from a Qatar side who matched the five-time champions in both skill and resolve.

And with Oman and DPR Korea also sharing a 1-1 scoreline in the day’s earlier game, Group D is now delicately poised with all four teams still mathematically capable of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

A cagey opening period waited until after the half-hour mark for the game’s first clear-cut effort on goal but when it came Iraq midfielder Mustafa Alameen’s precise shot from outside the penalty area almost resulted in a superb opener, until Yousof Hassan pulled off a stunning one-handed save to deny him.

And the next significant goal-mouth action did result in the game’s first score, as a coming together of captains saw Resan bundled over in the box by opposite number Ahmad Moein with a penalty duly awarded by the referee.

A nerveless Resan stepped up himself to take the spot-kick and sent Hassan the wrong way as he calmly rolled the ball into the opposite corner.

There was a change apiece for the sides at half-time as Jasem Mohamed replaced Abdulaziz Al Khalosi for Qatar while Iraq midfielder Layth Tahseen, a goalscorer against Oman, coming on for Ahmed Mohsin.

But on the 52nd minute it was Qatar who brought the scores level through the cultured right boot of Al Sadi.

Bundled over on the edge of the semi-circle after a bustling run up the centre of the field, the tricky playmaker took charge of the resulting free-kick he had earned, curling a superb low shot around the Iraqi wall and into the far corner past the unsighted Hayder Faisal.

While both sides tried to create chances to take all three points the final ball was lacking, although with Qatar visibly growing in confidence as the half wore on.

In the end, though, a draw was a fair if not entirely satisfactory result for both sides.