Alkass Digital
Iraq completed their turnaround at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia to emerge the Group C winners on Monday.
A second consecutive win enabled Iraq to overcome an opening defeat to Thailand to finish top on six points with Saudi Arabia also advancing as the runners-up, after Thailand lost 1-0 to Tajikistan in the other game.
The 2022 champions had the ball in the net after only nine minutes but Ahmed Al Ghamdi’s spectacular strike was cancelled after a VAR check showed that Aiman Yahya had strayed just offside in the buildup.
Iraq showed they were also a threat with two great opportunities coming the way of Al Hamawi, who could not keep his shot down after he was set up by Nihat Mohammed, while influential winger Ali Jasim worked his way into the box but shot straight at Saleem Alabsi.
Chasing the win necessary to reach the next stage, Iraq continued to be on the offensive and were awarded a penalty late in the first half after Mustafa Saadoon was brought down by Alabsi with Jasim taking responsibility and converting in the first minute of added time.
Saudi Arabia were given a way back into the match in the 10th minute of added time after referee Hiroyuki Kimura - after a VAR review - awarded them a penalty following Saadoon’s elbow on Haitham Asiri, with Al Ghamdi sending the ball home to send the teams level into the break.
The first chance of the second half was created by Saudi Arabia when Saad Alnasser was put through on the left and his cross found Ziyad Aljohani at the edge of the box, however, the Al Ahli midfielder flashed his shot wide.
Having survived a nervy start to the half, Iraq retook the lead in the 63rd minute after Alabsi failed to clear the ball cleanly, allowing Saadoon to nip in with the ball bouncing off his chest and into the net from from Alnasser’s clearance.
Saudi Arabia pushed for their second equaliser of the night and nearly found it in the 70th minute, Marwan Al Sahafi producing a clever looping header with the back of his head that had custodian Hussein Hasan backtracking to pluck the ball at the last minute as Iraq safely saw out the remainder of the tie.
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