AFC
Iraq became the final team to check into the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ after they overcame Vietnam 1-0 at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday, joining Indonesia, Japan and Uzbekistan in the last four.
With little separating the two sides, the decisive touch was supplied by Ali Jasim from the penalty spot in the 64th minute to give Iraq their first semi-final appearance since the 2016 edition, which was also held in Qatar.
The opening period was stop-start in nature as both sides took time to settle down with the first opening coming on 16 minutes after a Khuat Van Khang miskick saw the ball land nicely for Ali Al Mosawe but his powerful shot was palmed away by Quan Van Chuan.
Vietnam stayed compact with their three centre-backs - Nguyen Manh Hung, Le Nguyen Hoang and Luong Duy Cuong - working closely to crowd out Iraq’s sole striker Amin Al Hamawi, leaving Jasim and Nihad Mohammed with no target man to find.
Iraq were dominant in possession but did allow Nguyen Van Truong to sneak into the penalty box unchecked with 10 minutes of the first half left but the Hanoi FC midfielder was unable to keep his shot on target.
Vietnam survived a scare in the third minute of added time after Jasim teed up Al Mosawe just outside the box, however, the Portugal-based midfielder flashed his shot just wide of the post.
Both sides traded attempts after the break with Al Mosawe going on a driving solo run on the right, before forcing Quan to make a save at his near post. Then, Van Khang’s attempted cross from the left sailed too close for Hussein Hassan’s comfort before eventually bouncing off the bar.
The decisive moment came just before the hour mark when Nihad stole in behind Vietnam’s defence and got to the ball ahead of Quan, with a VAR check confirming that the Vietnam custodian had shoved Nihad off the ball.
Jasim confidently tucked his penalty high into the roof of the net for his third goal of the tournament.
Vietnam’s hopes of a fightback were snuffed in stoppage time after referee Ko Hyung-jin - following a VAR check, sent off Nguyen Manh Hung for a stamp on Jasim as Iraq marched into a semi-final showdown with Japan on Monday.