Qatar needed a win to progress to the final round of Asian qualifiers and Seyd Bechir duly delivered the winner with just 13 minutes remaining.

The hosts joined Australia at the top of Group One with 10 points, while Iraq took third place with seven points.

Qatar started brightly and thought they had grabbed the opener in just the eighth minute, but Sebastian Quintana's effort was ruled out for offside.

Iraq had their first opportunity four minutes later when Nashat Akram's cross found Emad Mohamed, whose header was on target, but goalkeeper Mohammed Saqr was equal to the effort.

Qatar again had the ball in the net 10 minutes before the break when Sayd Ali Bechir headed home but he was in an offside position.

The home side made little headway for much of the second half but grabbed the crucial goal in the 77th minute.

Substitute Hussein Yasser swung in a cross from the left flank to Bechir, who headed the ball into the far corner of the net off the right-hand post.

The Iraqis poured forward in search of an equaliser and they almost grabbed one with a minute remaining when Mostafa Karim shot over the crossbar.

Deep into stoppage time, Mostafa again had a final chance to snatch a draw but his weak shot failed to trouble Saqr.