Keisuke Honda converted a penalty and hit the woodwork three times as defending champion Japan edged Iraq 1-0 Friday to take the Group D lead and move a step closer to qualifying for the Asian Cup quarterfinals.

The AC Milan attacker converted from the spot in the 23rd minute after he was dragged down in the area amid challenges by Ali Adnan and Saad Abdulameer as he tried to regain possession after Shinji Kagawa's close-range shot was blocked.

Honda hit the post with a header in the 17th, smashed a right-footed strike into the crossbar in the 47th and hit the post again from close range in the 65th.

Japan leads the group with six points, three clear of Iraq and Jordan. The four-time champions next play Jordan.

Hamza Aldaradreh's dominating four-goal performance against Palestine has given Jordan coach Ray Wilkins a selection dilemma ahead of his team's must-win final group match against Japan.

Man of the match Hamza became just the fourth player to score four goals in an Asian Cup match to help Jordan keep its tournament hopes alive with a 5-1 win over Palestine on Friday.

Wilkins said Hamza was just the third-choice striker when Jordan started its Asian Cup campaign, behind Odai Al Saify and Ahmad Hayel.

"Now Hamza's given me a horrible bloody headache that I have to try and sort out," the former England midfielder said. "Nevertheless I'm delighted for him and I'm delighted for the lads as well."