Iraq finished the game with nine men after defender Haitham Kadhem and goalkeeper Noor Sabri were sent-off, while Bassim Abbas and Nashat Akram also limped off the field through injuries.

The Asian Cup holders suffered their first setback in the 25th minute when defender Kadhem picked up his second yellow card and was dismissed.

Three minutes later, Bahrain opened the scoring when Mohamed Salmeen chipped the ball forward to Salman Issa on the right flank and he found the unmarked Abdullah Omar, who finished from close range.

Iraq's woes continued when defender Abbas had to be replaced six minutes before the break due to injury as Bahrain finished the first-half in the ascendancy.

Things got worse for Jorvan Vieira's side on the hour mark when talented playmaker Akram bruised his ankle and was replaced by Karrar Jassim.

They were then reduced to nine men five minutes later when goalkeeper Sabri fouled Abdullah Omar inside the area and was shown a straight red card. Sayed Mohamad Adnan successfully converted the spot kick.

Iraq pulled a goal back from the spot in the 81st minute when Hussain Baba brought down Younis Mahmoud inside the area and the latter made no mistake to give his side renewed hope of an unlikely point.

However, Bahrain put the result beyond doubt when Issa crossed from the left and substitute Abdullah Al Dakeel converted from close range to make it 3-1.