Aymen Hussein scored two first-half headers as Iraq shocked Asian Cup favourites Japan 2-1 on Friday to succeed in the knockout rounds.
It was Japan’s first Asian Cup group-stage defeat in 26 matches and set them on a possible collision course with South Korea within the final 16 in Qatar, assuming they nonetheless progress.
Iraq — ranked 63 on this planet to Japan’s 17 — endured a nervous end after Liverpool’s Wataru Endo pulled one again within the third of eight minutes of harm time.
But they held on and now have six factors after beating Indonesia 3-1 of their opening match.
They play Vietnam of their remaining group sport on Wednesday.
Four-time champions Japan have three factors after beating Vietnam 4-2 of their opener and face Indonesia, additionally on Wednesday.
Hajime Moriyasu’s aspect went into the sport in Doha on the again of a 10-game successful streak through which they scored 43 targets.
But they’d no reply for Iraq’s energy and aggression, backed by the help of virtually 40,000 within the crowd.
Japan had a penalty award rightly overturned by VAR within the second half.
Moriyasu’s crew had been once more lacking injured Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma, who was not named within the matchday squad.
Takefusa Kubo, who has scored six targets for Real Sociedad this season, began after coming off the bench in opposition to Vietnam.
Hussein was certainly one of 5 adjustments within the Iraq beginning lineup, coming into the aspect after scoring as an alternative in opposition to Indonesia.
The striker wasted little time in getting on the scoresheet once more, heading residence after Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki flapped at a cross.
Japan had made a equally gradual begin in opposition to Vietnam, conceding two first-half targets earlier than turning issues round earlier than the break.
But they discovered Iraq far more durable and did not create any clear-cut probabilities for the remainder of the primary half.
Instead it was Iraq who scored once more in harm time, Hussein holding off Hiroki Ito to nod residence from shut vary.
Japan introduced on Takehiro Tomiyasu on the break for the Arsenal defender’s first look of the match.
Japan gained a penalty within the 56th minute when Rebin Solaka was adjudged to have tripped Takuma Asano.
But a VAR test revealed the sort out to have been a clear one, and Ritsu Doan was additionally out of luck when he curled a free kick over the bar lower than 10 minutes later.
Substitute Mohanad Ali virtually gave Iraq a 3rd purpose halfway by the second half however his shot rolled agonisingly extensive of the put up.
Endo gave Japan hope when he pulled one again deep in harm time however it was too late.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
