YASER Kasim could do little to stop the slide as Iraq were unable to hang on to a 2-1 lead in their Asian Cup third/fourth place play-off, eventually losing 3-2 to the UAE.

After his suspension for the semi-final defeat to South Korea, Kasim returned to the Iraqi starting XI but could do little as the the Emiratis took the lead after 16 minutes through Ahmed Khalil. However the Lions of Mesopotamia struck back with goals for Waleed Salim and Amjad Kalaf giving them a 2-1 advantage at half time.

Within 15 minutesof the second half the game was turned on its head again. Ahmed Khalil’s second, swiftly followed by Ali Mabkhout’s penalty just six minutes later, following a foul by Ahmed Ibrahiml, proving enough to give the UAE third place in the tournament.