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Iraq defeat Qatar to qualify for Olympics with last Asian spot

Iraq beat Qatar to the last Olympic qualifying place for Asian nations at the Rio de Janeiro Games after a 2-1 win on Friday in a third-place playoff match at the Asian Under-23 Championship in Doha.

The Iraqis join South Korea and Japan -- who play in Saturday's final -- as Asia's three teams in the 16-nation tournament lineup in Brazil.

Qatar hoped to take the Olympics berth as a key stage in their players' development for the 2022 World Cup they will host, and was just minutes from victory.

In the 86th minute, Mohannad Abdul-Raheem scored for Iraq to level following a 27th-minute goal for Qatar by Ahmed Alaa.

Iraq won it in extra time through a headed goal by Ayman Hussein.