Brisbane, Jan 12 (IANS): Midfielder Yaser Safa Kasim scored to help Iraq beat 10-man Jordan 1-0 in their Group D opening match of the Asian Cup football tournament here Monday.

Kasim scored the match-winning goal in the 78th minute. Jordan defender Anas Bani Yaseen was sent off after receiving two yellow cards, reports Xinhua.

Both teams tried to take an early scoring advantage. Iraq, the 2007 Asian Cup champions had their first scoring attempt in the 16th minute through captain Younis Mahmoud.

But the Iraqi footballers were unable to slice open a well-organised defence of Jordan, and neither side created clear chances during the first half.

After the break, Iraq intensified their attack and defender Dhurgham Ismael Dawood even dribbled into the box in the 55th minute but was unable to score.

Four minutes later, Jordan came close through Mohammad Mustafa but his close-range effort was too weak and was denied by Iraqi keeper Jalal Hassan Hachim.

Kasim broke the deadlock as his shot deflected off a Jordan defender and into the net.

In the 84th minute, Yaseen was sent off for his second yellow card and Jordan were unable to stage any serious challenge after that.