Iraq’s Ali Adnan scored with a curling free kick in the final minute as the former champions were twice forced to come from behind to beat Vietnam 3-2 in the Asian Cup yesterday.
Italy-based winger Adnan placed his strike high and to the left of Vietnam goalkeeper Dang Van Lam to give 2007 winners Iraq a barely-deserved victory in their opening Group D encounter in Abu Dhabi.
“It is very important to get three points in the group stage of this tournament,” said Iraq coach Srecko Katanec.
“It was tough at times, but I am sure we will develop as the competition goes on. If I am honest, we also need to be even better than we were in the second half which was obviously better than the first.
“I saw today who can and cannot play going forward, who is in a good condition and who is not.”
In a game strewn with defensive errors, Vietnam took the lead in the 24th minute when Ali Faez back-heeled the ball into his own goal after a mix-up with goalkeeper Jalal Hassan.
Mohanad Ali levelled for Iraq 11 minutes later when he dispossessed Que Ngoc Hai 25 metres from goal before driving into the penalty area and slotting past Van Lam.
Vietnam reclaimed the lead three minutes before the break when Nguyen Trong Hoang’s low shot was parried by Hassan and Nguyen Cong Phuong tapped in the rebound.
Iraq, however, were level again on the hour mark when Humam Tariq slid home from close range, making the most of Vietnam’s inability to clear the ball following Ali’s downward header.
The teams looked destined to share the points, only for Adnan to give Van Lam no chance with his curling effort into the top corner.
Iraq’s Ali Adnan (third from right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group D match against Vietnam in Abu Dhabi yesterday. (AFP)
