Iraq have special history at the Asian Cup and they wrote another chapter in tournament folklore with a last-gasp comeback 3-2 victory over Vietnam.
In the 90th minute, full-back Ali Adnan scored a sweeping left-footed free-kick that even Lionel Messi would have been proud of to deny a Vietnamese team that had been full value for a point.
Nguyen Cong Phuong built a 2-1 lead from Vietnam at half-time after he had applied the pressure for Al Faez Itia’s own goal and Mohanad Ali had briefly equalised for Iraq.
Subsitute Humam Tariq bundled in on the hour – despite chances coming at a premium for Iraq – before Adnan’s magic moment for the 2007 Asian Cup winners.
MO’S MOVING ON UP
There is confusion over Mohanad Ali’s real age – he reportedly registered for AFC youth tournament under his younger brother’s documents – but whether he’s 18 or 21, there is no doubt about his talent.
By no means was this a perfect performance but Mohanad, often isolated between Vietnam’s disciplined banks of four and five, made use of the few scraps he received.
The Baghdad-born striker simply kept coming and coming. Seconds after one skewed effort that should at least have hit the target, he intercepted an off-balance Do Duy Manh and slammed home.
He was also instrumental in setting up Iraq’s second, sucking in a couple of defenders in the air and the ricochet landed to the feet of substitute Humam. OK, the initial header lacked punch, but the passage of play sums his up – frenetic, for better or for worse.
A little more composure would serve him well and this tournament is the perfect showcase. Surely he won’t stay in the Iraqi Premier League for much longer.
⚽ GOAL! #Iraq's young star Mohanad Ali fires home the equaliser for the Lions on 3️⃣5️⃣ minutes! 🦁pic.twitter.com/BZPLjkYZ4c
— Soccer Iraq (@SoccerIraq) January 8, 2019
VIETNAM ANNOUNCE THEMSELVES TO CONTINENT
Iraq centre-back Ahmed Ibrahim had proclaimed that his side had sniffed out weaknesses in the Vietnamese defence. While they breached the back-line three times, in reality a defensive error and hopeful cross is as good as it got for Iraq.
The Vietnamese are an extremely well-drilled unit and dared Iraq to attack them down the flanks, where they struggled to conjure an overlap and a consistent delivery into the box.
What really stood out when watching the AFF Suzuki Cup winners though was how comfortable they are on the ball.
Yes, Iraq dominated possession, but Vietnam were a sliver away on a number of occasions with the little they had, with Hanoi midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai showing poise and feather touches off the flank.
Vietnam were fully deserving of a point and, and though it wouldn’t have been of much solace for shattered spirits at full-time, it took an unbelievable free-kick from Adnan to deny them. The champions of south east Asia look the part against the rest of the continent.
