Iraq vs Japan 2-1: AFC Asian Cup 2023 – as it happened
All the updates as Iraq upset Japan in Al Rayyan, Qatar to go top of Group D in the AFC Asian Cup.
This blog is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Iraq shocked Japan 2-1 in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 on Friday, January 19, 2024:
This blog is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Iraq shocked Japan 2-1 in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 on Friday, January 19, 2024:
- Iraq upset Japan 2-1 in their Group D AFC Asian Cup 2023. match at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
- Two first half goals from Aymen Hussein was enough to give Iraq the win, despite a late goal and pressure by Japan.
- Iraq qualify from the group with two wins from two, while Japan may need a result against Indonesia in their final group game to progress.
- Indonesia and Vietnam meet in the other Group D clash later on Friday.
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
That’s all for now
What a start to the day’s action at the AFC Asian Cup.
Vietnam and Indonesia have a lot to live up to in the next fixture, which kicks off in under half an hour.
Hong Kong take on Iran in Group C later in the day.
We’ll have plenty more coverage from the Asian Cup in the coming days, and we have a live blog covering Friday evening’s AFCON match between Senegal vs Cameroon.
For now, thanks for joining me for an eventful game in Qatar.
Hussein the hero
He only played for 45 minutes, but Ayman Hussein was undoubtedly one of the players of the match today.
He’s now got three goals at this Asian Cup – the same tally as he picked up at the Gulf Cup last year.
The Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya forward is playing with plenty of confidence and will be a danger for any defence as this tournament progresses.
ITS FULL TIME IN DOHA
2️⃣ 🇮🇶 – 🇯🇵1️⃣
⚽️⚽️ Ayman Hussein pic.twitter.com/3qBBVgzWu8
— Iraq Football Podcast (@IraqFootballPod) January 19, 2024
FT | 🇮🇶 Iraq 2️⃣-1️⃣ Japan 🇯🇵
💪 Aymen Hussein's brace earns Iraq a famous victory and a spot in the Round of 16!#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #IRQvJPN pic.twitter.com/nZDij3irZc
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 19, 2024
𝘜𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘈𝘭-𝘙𝘢𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘯 – The Lions of Mesopotamia. 🦁
The first team to beat Japan at an #AsianCup group stage in over 35 years! 🇮🇶#IRQvJPN #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/eY52OU9JNV
— Iraq National Team (@IraqNT_EN) January 19, 2024
Japan’s winning streak is broken
The Samurai Blue came into this game on the back of 11 consecutive victories, but that run of results has come to an end with defeat at the Education City Stadium.
Japan, as usual, saw plenty of the ball. But they spent large parts of the game failing to find a way through Iraq’s back line. They also missed some big chances, including a second half header from Maeda.
They still have a good chance of making it out of Group D, but a lot will now hinge on the result between Vietnam and Indonesia.
The teams are out for that one:
📋 LINE UPS | 🇻🇳 Vietnam 🆚 Indonesia 🇮🇩
We have the team sheets and now, we await kick off!
The Golden Star Warriors and Team Garuda are set to go head to head in Group D 💪
Watch Live 🔗 https://t.co/nJZ0pcUSJt #AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #VIEvIDN pic.twitter.com/8frMplG6ti
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 19, 2024
Iraq's insanely exciting 3-2 AET Gulf Cup final win over Oman and this now against Japan…
… they really know how to step it up in big games, and have the firepower up top to win them
More people need to watch Asian Cups because it's beyond competitive & very high level too
— Ben Griffis (@BeGriffis) January 19, 2024
Casas and Iraq needed a result like this to make a statement. 1st victory over Japan in 40 years. Casas' lineup/tactics both confused & frustrated Japan, playing Frans Dhia Putros but not changing the 4-5-1 formation and not allowing Japan to get into their usual rhythm were key pic.twitter.com/mKN6O6fXji
— Hassanin Mubarak (@hassaninmubarak) January 19, 2024
✨ 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐃 ✨
🇮🇶 The Lions of Mesopotamia are Round of 16 bound!#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/TkFhDXUJMz
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 19, 2024
Photos: Iraq celebrate a famous win
Iraq march on in Qatar
That was a fantastic match, with the Iraqi players giving everything for their country.
They certainly caught Japan on a bad day, but that should not take away from how well Iraq played.
With two wins from two, they have secured qualification for the last 16 and can potentially rest players for their final group game with Vietnam.
Japan remain second on three points and may well need a result against Indonesia in their final group match.
Vietnam will take on Indonesia in less than an hour in Doha.
Full-time
Iraq have done it!
A famous win against a much-fancied Japanese side.
The full-time whistle sparks huge celebrations in the stands. Those Iraq fans were put through an emotional rollercoaster in extra time, but they can now enjoy this win.
A well deserved victory for the Lions of Mesopotamia, who have qualified for the last 16.
FT: 🇮🇶 #Iraq 2-1 Japan 🇯🇵
WE HAVE BEATEN JAPAN TO GO TOP OF GROUP D!!! 💪🦁#IRQvJPN #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/umzKHZs6Cu
— Iraq National Team (@IraqNT_EN) January 19, 2024
Iraqi fans plead for the whistle
We are past the scheduled eight minutes, but play continues.
Iraq win a goal kick. Surely, this is it …
90+8 mins: Iraq 2-1 Japan
Tension in the stands
An offside gives Iraq some breathing space and a chance to punt the ball up the field.
It’s agony for the Iraq fans who thought their team had this win sealed.
90+7 mins: Iraq 2-1 Japan
Iraq clinging on
This is an unbelievable finish.
Doan strikes an effort just outside the area. The ball takes a wild deflection, looping into the air but just wide.
The resulting corner causes complete chaos in the Iraqi box, with multiple efforts blocked by some last-ditch defending.
90+6 mins: Iraq 2-1 Japan
GOAL! Endo pulls one back!
Well then, have we got a comeback on our hands?
Japan win a corner on the left. The ball is swung in and it’s a howler from Hassan who misses the ball. It leaves Endo with a simple header at the back post.
It’s all to play for now.
90+3 mins: Iraq 2-1 Japan
Eight minutes added on
Adnan is the latest Iraqi defender to put his body on the line for the cause.
He dives in to stop a cross, conceding a corner. The first Japanese corner comes to nothing, but a subsequent one finds Tomiyasu who can’t keep a headed effort on target.
The board goes up and there are eight minutes more to play.
90 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan
Ali fires wide
Ali picks out yet another long ball, seeing off two Japanese defenders.
His effort is wayward, flying over the bar.
Hajime Moriyasu looks less than impressed on the touchline. His side have struggled to carve out many opportunities today.
87 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan
Iraq close to a famous victory
The Iraqi flag is flying in the stands, as the fans start to believe that their team has this win in the bag.
The Lions of Mesopotamia have made an excellent start to this tournament.
85 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan
Maeda misses a huge opportunity
A difficult headed chance for Doan goes wide, with the Japanese forward leaning back as he jumped for the ball.
It wouldn’t have counted anyway, as the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.
Shortly after and Maeda probably should score. He out jumps his marker at the back post to get on the end of a delicious ball from Minamino, but his headed effort flies wide of the post.
83 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan
Iraq looking dangerous on the counter
In a rare attack, Doski gets in down the Japanese left and strikes a low cross in the box.
It’s well read by the Japanese defence and cleared away to safety.
Iraq’s counters are rare, but they still pose a real threat.
80 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan
Jasim departs
Less than 15 minutes to go, plus stoppages, and one Japan goal could change the whole feeling of this match.
Iraq make a change of their own. The 19-year-old Jasim, who has had a terrific game, makes way for Zaid Tahseen.
78 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan
Japan make two more substitutions
It’s all Japan now, with Iraq camped in their own half.
Doan, who has been excellent since coming on, finds himself in a great position in the box. But his shot is blocked by a diving Iraqi defender.
Two more changes for Japan:
Off: Hidemasa Morita, Junya Ito
On: Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda
74 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan
Iraq hold firm
Iraq are happy to sit in when Japan have the ball, forming a white wall on the edge of their own penalty area.
Natiq does well to head a cross behind with Iraq’s resolve showing no signs of breaking.
The resulting corner poses no danger to the Lions of Mesopotamia. Japan are about to make more changes.
71 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan
Ali almost on target for Iraq
Ali nearly scores a sensational third goal for Iraq.
He controls a long ball before taking the ball away from two defenders and striking a shot from just inside the area.
It’s a great effort with the ball fizzing past the left post. That was close.
68 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan
Iraq continue to make changes
Iraq make a further change with Ali Adnan replacing Youssef Amyn.
It’s a defensive change as Iraq look to see out this game.
Adnan’s first task is to defend a Japan free kick. He has little to do as Doan curls his effort just over the bar from outside the ‘D’.
66 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan