Iraq get nod to play in semis

Sydney - Iraq were cleared to take their place in Monday's Asian Cup quarter-final against South Korea after the Asian football confederation dismissed a protest from Iran.

Iraq beat their old foes on penalties in the quarter-finals but Iran submitted a formal protest, asking for the result to be overturned.

In the protest, Iran alleged that Iraq had fielded an ineligible player during the quarter-final match in Canberra on Friday.

The Iranians alleged that Iraqi midfielder Alaa Abdul-Zahra should have not been allowed to play because he had submitted a positive doping test while playing for an Iranian club side last year.

The Asian football confederation's (AFC) disciplinary committee met in Sydney on Sunday to discuss the case while the Iranian team remained in Australia in case the verdict went their way.

The AFC later announced the protest had been dismissed and Iraq would take their place against South Korea in the semi-finals.