Iraq’s Asian Cup-winning hero Younis Mahmoud took centre-stage again as the Lions of Mesopotamia defeated big-hearted Palestine 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

The captain famously scored the winner in Iraq’s 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the 2007 final, and he climbed for another towering header to put his side ahead on 48 minutes.

Mahmoud has been without a club for a year, and his rustiness showed when he missed a penalty in the second half. But a late Ahmed Yaseen strike made the win secure.

Iraq’s win against debutants Palestine sets up a quarter-final grudge-match against arch-rivals Iran in Canberra on Friday.

“Younis is such an experienced player and so positive for the team,” said Iraq’s caretaker boss Radhi Shenaishil.

“He is the player that everyone in the team thinks is a star. I think tonight was the most time he’s spent on the pitch this tournament.”

“We wanted to give him a bit of a rest but because of injuries we needed him to play,” Shenaishil added.

Iraq dominated possession in a boisterous first half, which saw some tough tackling and a bloody nose for Iraqi Saad Abdulamaeer, but they couldn’t find a way past a resolute Palestinian defence.

Left-back Dhurgham Ismael spurned the best opportunity of the half, blazing over from inside the box after Iraq had hit Palestine on the break with pace.

The match came to life at the start of the second half with Mahmoud wasting a good chance on 47 minutes before he broke the deadlock just moments later.

The targetman lept high to head the ball powerfully home from a corner, sending the large and vocal Iraqi support wild.

Iraq almost gave up their lead straight away when a slack pass at the back was pounced on by Palestine striker Ashraf Nu’man, who fired straight at goalkeeper Jalal Hassan.

And on 58 minutes Mahmoud had a penalty saved by Palestine’s Tawfiq Abudhammad, standing in for injured captain Ramzi Saleh, after the referee blew for a shove on US-based Justin Meram.

But Mahmoud was quickly forgiven by the loyal Iraqi fans who gave him a standing ovation when he was substituted on 78 minutes.

It was a full-blooded affair with a spirited Palestine performance, but Iraq’s number nine Yaseen put it beyond doubt with a powerful low drive two minutes from time.

“It was a great match. We know beforehand that we had a very slim chance of making it to the second round so we felt no pressure,” said Palestinian coach Ahmad Alhasan.

“Everybody in our team played a wonderful game today. Iraq had two opportunities and scored two goals and this is a reflection of the dynamic of the match,” he added.