ABU DHABI – Iraq and the United Arab Emirates shared a 1-1 draw in Abu Dhabi to leave their World Cup qualifying playoff finely poised ahead of the second leg in Basra on Tuesday.

Luton Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi gave the Iraqis the lead in the 10th minute but a header by Luanzinho eight minutes later secured a draw for Cosmin Olaroiu’s hosts.

The winners of the two-legged clash will advance to an intercontinental playoff in March that will determine the final qualifier for the expanded 48-team finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

Both nations are attempting to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in a generation, with Iraq having previously appeared in Mexico in 1986 while the UAE made their solitary appearance at the finals four years later in Italy.

The Graham Arnold-coached Iraqis went in front after the home defence struggled to clear Amir Al-Ammari’s free kick, Akam Hashim driving the ball across the face of goal from the left and Al-Hamadi swept his right-foot strike home.

Eight minutes later, however, the Emiratis levelled through Luanzinho’s header, the Brazil-born midfielder rising highest to meet Abdalla Ramadan’s in-swinging cross from the right.

###