Iraqi players celebrate after winning against Uzbekistan during their quarter-final football match at the Al Gharrafa Sports Club Stadium at the 15th Asian Games in Doha, 09 December 2006. Iraq won 2-1. AFP PHOTO/KARIM JAAFAR (Photo credit should read KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images)
DOHA (AFP) - Iran shattered China's Asian Games football gold medal hopes in a marathon quarter-final penalty shootout while Iraq's dream continued with a 2-1 extra-time triumph over Uzbekistan.
Iraq had the perfect start at Al Gharrafa against Uzbekistan when Karrar Muhamed gave them a 10th-minute lead.
But Alexander Geynrikh, the 22-year-old Torpedo Moscow striker, levelled in first-half injury time to register his fifth goal of the Games.
Iraq were down to 10 men after just 54 minutes when goalscorer Muhamed was red-carded for kicking Marat Bikmaev in the head as the two tussled on the ground.
The tie went to extra-time where Uzbekistan were also reduced to 10 men with a red card for Asror Aliqulov.
The Iraqis took full advantage when Ali Alwan gave his side a 2-1 lead five minutes into the extra period before Uzbekistan went down to nine men as Nodirbek Kuziboyev was sent off seven minutes from the end.
South Korea scored twice in the space of three first half minutes against their northern rivals through Kim Chi Woo and Yeom Ki Hun. That became 3-0 on 57 minutes through Jung Jo Gook.
Qatar reached the last four with a 3-0 win over Thailand with Young Asian Player of the Year Khalfan Ibrahim scoring twice.
