‘Near good’: Iraq stun Japan to succeed in Asian Cup final 16

Iraq coach Jesus Casas stated his group had been “near good” in gorgeous Asian Cup favourites Japan 2-1 on Friday to succeed in the knockout rounds.

Aymen Hussein scored two first-half headers in entrance of almost 40,000 in Doha to consign four-time champions Japan to a primary Asian Cup group-stage defeat in 26 matches.

It additionally set Japan on a possible collision course with South Korea within the final 16, assuming they nonetheless progress.

Casas stated that the primary huge shock of the event was “just one win” however hailed it as “a terrific day for Iraqi individuals”.

“I feel the proper match would not exist,” stated the Spaniard.

“It is unimaginable to have an ideal match, however we had been near good.”

Hussein headed Iraq – ranked 63 on this planet to Japan’s 17 – into the lead within the fifth minute and struck once more in first-half damage time.

Iraq endured a nervous end after Liverpool’s Wataru Endo pulled one again within the third of eight minutes of damage time on the finish of the sport.

However they held on and now have six factors after beating Indonesia 3-1 of their opening match.

They play Vietnam of their last pool-stage recreation on Wednesday and can be seeking to high Group D.

“All of the gamers had been concentrating on this match and we had been all prepared for it,” stated Hussein, who additionally scored towards Indonesia.

“We did all the things the coach needed – we labored very arduous throughout the week and we performed a terrific recreation as a result of we had been actually focused on our work.”

‘Soccer is preventing’

Additionally Friday, Indonesia defeated Vietnam 1-0 due to a Forty second-minute penalty by Asnawi Mangkualam.

Meaning Indonesia and Japan will battle it out on Wednesday for the second qualification spot out of Group D, though ending third may additionally be sufficient.

Hajime Moriyasu’s facet beat Vietnam 4-2 of their opener and went into the Iraq recreation on the again of a 10-game successful streak by which they scored 43 targets.

Japan beat Spain and Germany to succeed in the final 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

However Japan had no reply to the ability and aggression of an Iraq facet roared on by many of the crowd at Schooling Metropolis Stadium.

“Soccer is preventing. It is advisable be aggressive – if not, it’s unimaginable to win a match,” stated Casas.

“I select the gamers that may be fighters, however good gamers too.

“The distinction at this degree with the nationwide group is you want steadiness between preventing and high quality.”

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Hussein headed residence for the opening aim when the ball fell to him after Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki flapped at a cross.

He notched his second simply earlier than the half-time whistle, holding off Hiroki Ito to nod residence from shut vary.

Japan received a penalty within the 56th minute when Rebin Solaka was adjudged to have tripped Takuma Asano, but it surely was overturned when a VAR verify confirmed the deal with to have been a clear one.

Endo gave Japan hope when he pulled a aim again deep in damage time, however Iraq held on.

“The environment was like an away recreation and conceding early damage us,” stated Moriyasu.

“Conceding on the finish of the primary half hit us arduous and made it a really tough recreation. We have to be taught from our errors.”

Iraq upset the percentages to win the Asian Cup in 2007.

Casas wouldn’t be drawn on his group’s possibilities of lifting the trophy once more and refused to look previous the subsequent recreation.

“Now it’s Vietnam, and after we are going to see,” he stated.