Iraq 2-0 Vietnam (2007 AFC Asian Cup - Quater Final)

21/07/2007 (Thailand) Iraq 2-0 Vietnam (2007 AFC Asian Cup - Quater Final)

A brace by skipper Younis Mahmoud help Iraq defeat co-hosts Vietnam 2-0 in the AFC Asian Cup 2007 quarter-finals at the Rajamangala stadium on July 21, thus helping Iraq reach the last four of the continent’s biggest competition for the first time since 1976. 

Mahmoud opened the scoring after just two minutes and curled home free-kick to seal the win four minutes after the hour mark. 

Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira had to make changes in his starting XI as the Iraqis were without suspended Qusay Muneer and midfielder Saleh Sadir, while defender Khaldoun Ibrahim dropped to the bench. 

Haitham Kadhim, Karrar Jassim Mohammed and Haidar Abdul Amer started. 

Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl, on the other hand, started with two frontmen with Nguyen Anh Duc coming in for midfielder Phan Van Tai Em, who didn’t make the trip to Bangkok due to his wedding. 

Midfielder Phung Cong Minh and leftback Chau Phong Hoa were preferred to Nguyen Minh Chuyen and Phung Van Nhien, respectively. 

The Iraqis, who have become one of the impressive teams in the Asian Cup 2007, took the lead after 90 seconds. 

Skipper Mahmoud, who has been reported to be linked by Premiership newly-promoted side Sunderland, directed his header into the net following Nashat Akram’s free kick from the left. 

Vietnam had to wait until 18th minutes to have their first shot onto the Iraqi goal. 

Striker Le Cong Vinh saw his shot was blocked for a corner before his long distance effort was comfortable taken by Noor Sabri. 

Just before half-time, the co-host came close to equalising when left midfielder Nguyen Vu Phong burst through the centre and played one-two with Phong Hoa but the Binh Duong winger’s cross, which came across the area, was cleared by substitute Ahmad Abid Ali before Cong Vinh was able to finish off from close range. 

The Iraqis doubled their lead on 64 minutes minute with Mahmoud, again, the scorer. 

The Sunderland-targeted striker curled home a free-kick, which gave goalie Duong Hong Son no chances. 

Mahmoud almost completed his hat-trick 12 minutes before time but his downward header following Mahdi Karim’s cross from the right was saved by Hong Son. 

The victory put Iraq, who exited the last three Asian Cups at the quarter-final stage, in the semi-final in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with either Iran or the Republic of Korea on July 26. 

Ngoc Tuan Source: Nhan Dan

Share: