ABU DHABI (AFP) - Ali Adnan swept home a brilliant, last-minute free-kick as former champions Iraq twice hit back to beat Vietnam 3-2 in the Asian Cup on Tuesday (Jan 8).
It was a heart-breaking way for Vietnam to lose in Abu Dhabi, but no more than Iraq deserved for going for the jugular after Humam Tareq had hauled them level on the hour mark.
"The first half was horrible," said Iraq coach Srecko Katanec.
"We showed nothing that we did in training - no power, no personality at all. Maybe it was first-game emotions, the players felt the pressure a little bit."
"I knew it would be a tough game," added the Slovenian.
"But the most important thing was the three points."
Vietnam's Golden Dragons took a shock lead after 24 minutes in the Group D clash in Abu Dhabi, defender Ali Faez panicking under pressure from Nguyen Cong Phuong and clumsily backheeling the ball past goalkeeper Jalal Hassan Hachim.
Iraq, who defied the odds to win an emotional Asian Cup title in 2007, levelled 10 minutes later through striker Mohanad Ali, who profited from a defensive error to rifle home from the edge of the box.
Cong Phuong restored Vietnam's lead three minutes before the break, stabbing in from close range after Nguyen Trong Huang's shot had been parried by Hachim.
But Tareq lashed home a second equaliser following more horrific defending from the Vietnamese, who by that point looked to be running out of steam.
LAZY FOUL
A lazy foul on the edge of the penalty area subsequently presented Adnan with the chance to take all three points and he did not disappoint, curling a left-foot shot into the top corner, prompting several Vietnamese players to slump to the turf in despair.
Iraq join Iran on three points after their bitter rivals thrashed Yemen 5-0 on Monday.
Iraq's circumstances have scarcely improved since thir fairytale success 12 years ago, with security concerns impacting their preparations for tournaments.
But the Lions of Mesopotamia will hope to at least match their run to the Asian Cup semi-finals in Australia four years ago, despite losing several of their top players to retirement.
"If we want to go deep into the tournament we will have to improve," shrugged Katanec.
"But I have a clearer picture now of our overall condition and we will grow into the tournament."
Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo, who steered his side to the southeast Asian title last December, insisted he had no regrets.
"I'm proud of my players," said the South Korean.
"At the end they were exhausted and lost a bit of concentration but we were a little unlucky too."
"We were targeting a point from this game because we play Iran next and obviously they're title favourites," he added.
"It will be very tough from here but we will go again."
And, as confirmed in an official FA statement a short time ago, the Tottenham boss' actions have this evening seen him hit with an improper conduct charge: 'Mauricio Pochettino has been
Football: Watford's Andre Gray strikes late winner to spoil
Eden Hazard "deserves" a move to Real Madrid, says Emmanuel Petit, but his departure is going to leave "boring" Chelsea struggling to "cope without him".
Hazard confirms he is staying at Chelsea this month | Latest
Sarri proved beyond doubt who's in charge at Chelsea by benching Kepa Blues boss brought in rusty reserve Willy Caballero - though the Argentine was untested in the 2-0 home win By Andrew Dillon
The Gunners head to Italy with a 2-0 lead after outplaying their Serie A opponents in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium a week ago. Unai Emery's side have so far lost both of their away
Kolasinac delighted by 'big win' but urges focus | Arseblog
Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity.
Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English CL final
History made as women to referee men's AFC Cup clash 2019-05-15 Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita and assistants Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi will officiate the AFC Cup match between Myanmar's Yangon United and Cambodia's Naga World at the Thuwunna Stadium on Wednesday.
History made as first all-female referee team to officiate
Leonardo Bonucci has backtracked on suggestions his Juventus team-mate Moise Kean was partly responsible for the racist abuse he received from Cagliari supporters by insisting he was
Moise Kean: Paul Pogba lends support to Juventus star
UPDATE 1-Soccer-Hatem wonder strike secures Qatar upset of South Korea. Qatar's Abdulaziz Hatem scored with a stunning late strike as the 2022 World Cup hosts
Qatar knock South Korea out of Asian Cup, Latest Football
Tottenham Hotspur gained revenge over north London rivals Arsenal as goals by Son Heung-min and Dele Alli earned a 2-0 victory on Wednesday to put them into the League Cup semi-finals.
Tottenham take revenge on Arsenal to reach League Cup semis
Feb 9 (Reuters) - Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with a confident 3-0 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday. The win moves Juergen Klopps's side three points above second-placed Manchester City who face Chelsea on Sunday and would return to the top on goal difference with a victory.
Liverpool back on top after comfortable win over Bournemouth
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri was sent off as Burnley held them to a 2-2 draw on Monday (Pic: GETTY) "The Burnley bench had repeatedly called Sarri a 's*** Italian'" However, what made Sarri's anger boil over turned out to be the verbals from Burnley's bench towards him. A touchline brawl broke out late on in the draw in west London.
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri 'offended' by insult from Burnley
But, with big-name stars such as Martial and Pogba desperately struggling for form in a run that has seen United lose five of their last seven league and Cup games, Solskjaer has laid out demands
Step up or ship out: Solskjaer - Latest News
0 comments:
Post a Comment