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."
Everton led their local rivals by 12 points after victory at Anfield in late February, but Liverpool went on a storming run to win 11 and draw one of their last 12 games to claim the title by two
Premier League title race: 'Liverpool need to take their
What is the adjective for respect? Included below are past participle and present participle forms for the verb respect which may be used as adjectives within
Definition of Respect - It's not what we do but who we are
Copa del Rey: Valencia to face Barcelona in final after
Football: Manchester City will not rest amid packed schedule
Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as England started what they hope is a road back to Wembley for the Euro 2020 final with a comprehensive 5-0 win over the Czech Republic to open their qualifying
Football: Sterling hits hat-trick as England thrash Czech
Son Heung-min's South Korea needed an extra-time winner to beat world ranked 113th Bahrain 2-1 as they stumbled into the Asian Cup quarter-finals in unconvincing fashion on Tuesday. Kim Jin-su's diving header at the end of the first extra period proved the difference as the two-time champions met unexpected resistance before winning in Dubai.
AFC Asian Cup: South Korea survive Bahrain scare to reach
I think the contract is expired and I'm now under contract with Manchester United," Solskjaer told Norwegian podcast Fotballklubben. "I think we need a new contract there [at Molde]."
Solskjaer confirms his contract in Norway has expired
City must prove setback is temporary, Football News & Top
United made a highly aggressive start to the game, but too often, their forwards chose the wrong option or failed to deliver the right pass, although Marcus Rashford and Pogba both tested PSG's 41
PSG take charge with 2-0 win at Manchester United, Paul Pogba
Manchester City football flag (Reuters pic) MANCHESTER: Manchester City will play a pre-season match in Japan for the first time when they take on J League side Yokohama F. Marinos on July 27, the
Manchester City to play pre-season match in Japan against
Kane insists club rivalries will not split England camp
India lose 0-2 to Uzbekistan in AFC U-23 football qualifiers. Indian football team let in two goals towards the end to go down 0-2 to Uzbekistan in their opening match of the AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers at the Bangabandhu Stadium here on Friday. Mar 27, 2015, 19:46 PM IST
Singapore | An Asia Football Blog
Jun 10, 2019 · Joseph Chipolina's own-goal and a late effort from substitute Robbie Brady handed the Republic of Ireland a Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Gibraltar. On a night when 36,281 turned up at the
Own goal helps Ireland edge Gibraltar 2-0 | Reuters.com
ROME (AFP) - Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed on Friday (March 29) that Cristiano Ronaldo is an injury doubt for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Ajax on April 10..
Ronaldo 'risks missing' Champions League quarter-final first
0 comments:
Post a Comment