First-half goals from Hossein Badamaki and Hashem Beykzadeh gave Iran a 2-0 lead at the interval while Iraq pulled one back through Saleh Sadir's spot-kick four minutes from time.

Iran played out the final 30 minutes of the match a man down after midfielder Iman Mobali was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Despite the large support for the Iraqis at Amman International stadium, Jorvan Vieira's men got off to a slow start and were behind on nine minutes.

Striker Mahdi Rajabzadeh surged down the left flank before finding strike partner Badamaki, who scored with a powerful drive.

The Iranians doubled their advantage in the 21st minute when Beykzadeh unleashed a stunning drive from 30 yards that flew into the net beyond the helpless Noor Sabri.

Iran could have put the game out of reach on 34 minutes but Badamaki miscontrolled with only the keeper to beat.

Iraq's only chance of the half came on 40 minutes when Younes Mahmoud beat the challenge of Mojtaba Shiri before firing in a shot that was parried to safety by the Iranian keeper.

The visitors went on the attack at the start of the second half and nearly pulled a goal back on 55 minutes when Younes Mahmoud saw his effort saved by Hassan Rodbarian.

Iran were reduced to 10 men on 61 minutes when Mobali - one of other seven members of Iran's Asian Cup squad in the line-up - was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Iraq tried to take advantage of their numerical superiority, bringing on some fresh legs with the introduction of Hawar Mulla Mohammed, Sadir and Karrar Jassim from the bench.

This stirred the Iraqis into life and they should have scored in the 68th minute when Hawar crossed for Sadir but the latter's shot was blocked by Rodbarian.

The Iraqis finally found the target on 86 minutes when Jassim sent in a cross from the left wing that was handed by an Iranian defender.

The referee pointed to the spot and Sadir reduced the deficit from the resulting penalty kick.

Iraq might have levelled the scores in the 90th minute when Nashat Akram sent a free- kick onto the head of Younes Mahmoud, but Rodbarian cleared the ball for a corner.

Iran will line-up in Group C of next month's Asian Cup along with co-hosts Malaysia, China and Uzbekistan, while Iraq are in Group A with co-hosts Thailand, Australia and Oman.