15th Asian Games

DOHA -- Hosts Qatar ended the Asian Games in style here on Friday collecting the last title on offer by beating Iraq 1-0 in the final of the men's football.

A scrappy 63rd minute goal by Bilal Mohammed Rajeb settled the match, allowing Qatar to become only the second Arab country to lift the title -- Iraq won it in 1982.

A cagey opening by both sides livened up in the sixth minute when Uruguayan-born striker Sebastian Soria beat his marker to a corner but it cannoned off the post with the 'keeper Mohammed Khadum well beaten.

However, the same incident saw some nervy moments for the hosts as Khadum rolled around on the ground in apparent agony having been knocked by Wesam Abdulmajid, who had followed up when the ball came back off the bar.

Abdulmajid had just been booked but the Iraqi players were left disappointed as Japanese referee Hiroyoshi Takayama didn't send him off for a second bookable offence but instead gave him a stern talking to.

Qatar were putting together the better football in a mediocre opening first-half and Khalfan Ibrahim Al Khalfan produced the best individual skill of the match till then.

He went on a run down the right wing and turned two Iraqi defenders, only for his low cross to be turned away for a corner.

Qatar should have gone ahead in the 30th minute as a beautifully floated freekick by Ali Nasser Saleh found Abdullah Obaid Koni totally unmarked five meters out and with a free header.

But the 27-year-old failed to even connect with the ball and slapped the post in frustration.

Iraq finally threatened the Qataris with 10 minutes remaining in the first period as Alaa Khashen went on a mazy run cutting right into the heart of the defense but he was greedy and failed to pass to Karrar Muhamed who was unmarked in the area and the chance went askew.

Qatar nearly made them pay immediately as Quintana got himself free at the far post but with a clear header he could only watch as it went over the bar.

The second-half started in the same fashion as the first one with both sides tentative in going forward, though former Manchester City striker Yaser Hussain did get free in the box but skied his shot over the bar.

Qatar finally got the goal their overall dominance merited in the 63rd minute in bizarre fashion as Majdi Abdulla's Sidiq's corner was flicked on at the near post by Abdulmajid and tamely palmed out by Khadum.

The ball struck Majed on the shoulder with his head turned away and went into the net.

Qatar looked to have scored a second a couple of minutes later as Quintana prodded into the net but the linesman correctly called him for offside.

Quintana should have all but wrapped it up with 20 minutes remaining when he was set free on the right of the box but with just the keeper to beat his shot hit the side netting.