By Pearse McLaughlin
A first half double from Iraq's Ayman Hussein was enough to seal a famous victory over Japan as they triumphed 2-1 here at the Education City Stadium, Al-Rayyan, Qatar. A late Wataru Endo strike in stoppage time pulled a goal back for Japan but they couldn't find that all important equalizer and have now suffered defeat for the first time in 12 matches with the last defeat coming on the 28th of March 2023 where they lost 2-1 to Colombia.
Iraq take a shock lead after only 5 minutes on the clock against the tournament favourites in Japan through Ayman Hussein. It was great initial play by Ali Jassim as he made an overlapping run down the left flank and fired a dangerous ball into the box which Zion Suzuki palmed straight onto the forehead of Hussein. The cross was straight at Suzuki and has to go down as a goalkeeping mistake but take nothing away from Ayman Hussein who in a crowded penalty box planted a header into the back of the net. Iraq lead Japan 1-0.
Big chance wasted by Japan on the 22nd minute as Wataru Endo failed to capitalize on a mistake at the back from Iraq and saw his effort go well wide of the right hand post. Kubo’s corner kick didn’t clear the first man and spun awkwardly in the box which Hidemasa Morita refused to give up on and headed the ball back across the goal to the unmarked Wataru Endo who tried an acrobatic volley from the penalty spot that went well wide of the right hand post. Massive let off for Iraq. Big chance for Japan that just fell to the wrong player. It remains 1-0 to Iraq.
Dreamland for Iraq as the double their lead on the fourth minute of added time at the end of the first half and it’s Ayman Hussein who grabs his second goal of the game. Brilliant run by Ahmed Yahya down the left wing and he produced a delightful floated ball into the six yard box where it’s that man again Ayman Hussein who bullets a header past Zion Suzuki from point blank range. In the build up the ball did look as if it had crossed the line but after a quick VAR check the goal stands. Iraq lead 2-0. Devastating counter attack by the home side.
Half time here at the Education City Stadium as Iraq lead Japan 2-0. Iraq have thoroughly deserved their lead have defended resolutely, have created the best opportunities, and look like they will score every time they come forward. Japan on the other hand have dominated possession but look powder puff in attack, not enough players bursting a gut to get into the box, and not able to match the physicality that Iraq possess. Japan will need to offer a lot more if they are to avoid defeat here whereas more of the same from Iraq. It’s set for a grand slam finish in this top of the table clash in Group D.
Both sides make changes at the restart. Japan make just the one change as the Samurai Blue bring on Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu to replace Shogo Taniguchi to shore up that defence.
Iraq make two changes to their side and we won’t be seeing Ayman Hussein add to his 2 goals as he has taken a knock and is replaced by Mohanad Ali. The other change sees Merchas Doski replace Hussein Ali in what is a like for like replacement.
Ten minutes after the restart Japan are awarded a penalty after Rebin Sulaka appeared to foul Takuma Asano but after a lengthy VAR review the referee overturned his initial decision and no penalty was awarded. Massive call and moment in the game and I think it was just about the right call.
Iraq nearly add to their lead on the 67th minute through Mohanad Ali’s half volley which goes a whisker wide of the left hand post. After a long ball over the top substitute Mohanad Ali competes with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ko Itakura in the air, beats them both and reacts quickest to the second ball which sees his effort go millimetres wide of the left hand post. So close to a third for Iraq but Japan are still hanging in there as it remains 2-0.
Late hope for Japan as Wataru Endo pulls a goal back in the 3rd minute of added time at the end of the game. Reo Hatate’s inswinging corner caused havoc and Jalal Hassan came to claim the ball but misjudged the flight of the ball and Water Endo had the simplest of tasks of heading the ball into the empty net. 2-1 Iraq. Game on.
It's all over as Iraq hold on for a famous win over the tournament favourites in Japan as they win 2-1. It was a pragmatic approach from Iraq as they made the most of set pieces, counter attacked and threw bodies on the line. In the end the tactics were spot on as they nullified Japan to very little chances and I'm sure this will give Hajime Moriyasu major headaches heading into the final group game against Indonesia.
Iraq: Jalal Hassan, Hussein Ali (Merchas Doski 46’), Saad Naji, Rebin Sulaka, Ahmed Yahya, Frans Putros (Osama Rashid 61’), Amir Al-Ammari, Youssef Amyn (Ali Adnan 66’), Ibrahim Bayesh, Ali Jassim (Zaid Tahseen 77’), Ayman Hussein (Mohanad Ali 46’). Subs not used: Fahad Talib, Ahmed Basil Fadhil, Zidane Iqbal, Ahmad Alle, Ali Al Hamadi, Bashar Resan, Montader Madjed.
Japan: Zion Suzuki, Yukinari Sugawara, Ko Itakura, Shogo Taniguchi (Takehiro Tomiyasu 46’), Hiroki Ito, Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita (Reo Hatate 74’), Junya Ito (Daizen Maeda 74’), Takefusa Kubo (Ritsu Doan 61’), Takumi Minamino, Takuma Asano (Ayase Ueda 61’). Subs not used: Daiya Maekawa, Koki Machida, Seiya Maikuma, Yuta Nakayama, Kaishu Sano, Mao Hosoya, Keito Nakamura.
Referee: Khaled Al Teris
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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