AFC Asian Cup 2019: Heartbreak for Vietnam as Iraq snatch last-gasp win
Iraq twice came from
behind to beat Vietnam 3-2 in their Asian Cup opener in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Ali Adnan Kadhim scored
less than a minute from time, firing a free kick over the wall and into the
back of the net from 25 metres. His winner sparked wild celebrations among
Iraqi fans at Zayed Sports City Stadium while leaving Vietnam's players and
supporters heartbroken.
It was a finish few
would have expected less than half an hour into the absorbing Group D contest,
when the Vietnamese took the lead courtesy of an own goal. Nguyen Quang Hai
sent a through pass to Nguyen Trong Hoang when defender Ali Faez Atiyah came
between him and goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, only to knock the ball into his own
net on 24 minutes.
Iraq cancelled the lead
11 minutes later after a defensive error from Vietnam centre-back Do Duy Manh
left Mohanad Ali Khadim with only keeper Dang Van Lam to beat, which he did
with ease executing a low shot.
Vietnam regained the
lead three minutes before half time when Nguyen Cong Phuong stabbed in a
rebound after Jalal had blocked Quang Hai’s effort from inside the area.
Only two minutes after
replacing Osama Jabbar in the second half, Iraq midfielder Humam Faraj took one
touch to score as he slammed a rebound into the roof of the net. An hour into
the match, Iraq had equalised for the second time.
Deflated Vietnam next meet
group leaders Iran, who beat Yemen on Monday, at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu
Dhabi. Meanwhile, Iraq face cup debutants Yemen in Sharjah. Both matches are on
Saturday.
