AFC Asian Cup - Iraq 3 Vietnam 2 - Match Report
Ali Adnan scores a stunning free-kick as Iraq complete the fightback to defeat Vietnam 3-2
Mitch Freeley
A brilliant last-gasp free-kick from Ali Adnan earned Iraq a dramatic 3-2 victory over Vietnam in their Asian Cup Group D opener at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
Iraq twice fell behind to last month's confident AFF Championship winners, but Ali Adnan punished Nguyen Phong Hong Duy's tackle on Safaa Hadi by curling a sublime 20-yard set-piece into the top-right corner.
Vietnam took the lead when Ali Faez comically put through his own net in the 24th minute, but teenage striker Mohanad Ali equalised with a cool finish 11 minutes later.
Nguyen Cong Phuong managed to bundle Park Hang-seo's side back in front before half-time, but Ali Adnan added to Humam Tareq's goal to send Iraq level on points with Iran, who beat Yemen 5-0 on Monday.
Vietnam moved ahead when Ali Faez beat Cong Phuong to a pass into the box and his attempt to turn to safety saw him knock the ball into his own net.
Mohanad Ali pounced on an error from Do Duy Manh and jinked past Que Ngoc Hai before firing into the bottom-left corner, but Vietnam regained their lead in the 42nd minute.
Jalal Hassan Hachim parried a low shot from Nguyen Trong Hoang to his right and Ahmed Ibrahim's attempt to clear went in off Cong Phuong.
Iraq got another equaliser on the hour mark when Vietnam failed to clear after keeper Dang Van Lam kept out Mohanad Ali's header and Tareq picked out the roof of the net.
The turnaround was completed late on when Ali Adnan's exquisite free-kick left Vietnam with nothing to show for their efforts.
Goals/ Highlights
Goal! Ali Adnan scores a last-gasp freekick! Iraq have surely won it!
Goal! Iraq draw level again! Substitute Humam Tariq smashes home from close range!
Goal! Vietnam retake the lead! Iraq fail to clear the ball and striker Nguyễn Công Phượng finds the back of the net!
Goal! Iraq level the scores! Muhanad Ali finds the back of the net!
Goal! Disaster for Iraq, Ali Faez scores an own goal!
Live Updates
Preamble
Rowdy vibes from the Vietnam fans outside the stadium!
🇻🇳🥁🧣 #AsianCup2019 #BringingAsiaTogether pic.twitter.com/DRoobjKOEe — #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 8, 2019
Team News! We have the team news! Keep an eye out for Ali Adnan, he plays for Atalanta in Italy! As for Vietnam, Nguyen Quang Hai starts he starred for the South East Asian side as they went all the way to lift the AFF Suzuki Cup last year!
📝 🇮🇶 🆚 🇻🇳
Line-ups are in for the second #AsianCup2019 group D encounter! pic.twitter.com/opXM6QidFi — #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 8, 2019
Vietnam should be sporting this fetching Red kit for the game against Iraq!
Grandsports unveil the new Vietnam national team kits ahead of #AFCAsianCup2019.
Available to buy from 12 January 2019 pic.twitter.com/w5EIV4VXeo — Vietnam football (@soccervietnam) January 5, 2019
Right! So let's get down to business! Team news coming up! In the meanwhile! Let's all enjoy this powerful bit of social media from the Iraq FA!
pic.twitter.com/toH4U0L5lM — IRAQ F.A. (@IRAQFA) January 4, 2019
Good afternoon! Vietnam takes on Iraq in Group D action to open up day four of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the UAE. Today's game in Abu Dhabi represents a challenge for both sides, who will be looking to get points in the group with nations having aspirations of reaching the round of sixteen. Last night, fellow Group D side Iran smashed new boys Yemen 5-0 so it seems like a straight shoot-out between the sides to make the round of sixteen in second place. As ever, join me for all the build-up, team news, match commentary and the goals as they go in!
