ALMATY -- Iraq and Kazakhstan warmed up
for their World Cup Asian group six decider next week with easy
victories on Saturday.
Kazakhstan, hoping to reach their first World Cup finals in
Japan and South Korea in 2002, beat Nepal 4-0.
Maxim Shevchenko put them ahead on 43 minutes before three
goals in the last 21 minutes wrapped up the game.
Ruslan Baltiyev converted a penalty, Shevchenko grabbed his
second and Konstantin Gorovenko added a late fourth.
Iraq trounced Macao 5-0 with Abdul Wahab Abolheel and Abbas
Hassum scoring two apiece. Three of the goals came in the final
10 minutes.
On Monday Kazakhstan play Macao, while Iraq face Nepal.
The two sides, who both have 10 points from four matches,
meet each other two days later on Wednesday, April 25.
Only the group winner advances to the final Asian qualifying
stage.
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