Asian Cup Final

TGL:CBKoE · Moderator

Asian Cup Final
I-raq clinched their first Asian Cup victory with a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Jakarta.

Al Mosailem had earlier kept his side alive with a fine double save from Younes Mahmoud and Nashat Akram.

Iraq had an escape in stoppage time when Saudi striker Malek Maaz bounced a header on to the roof of the net.

The final had been billed as a contest between the tournament's best attack in Saudi Arabia, against the tightest defence, but the Saudis much-vaunted strikeforce was kept well in check.

In contrast, Iraq always looked dangerous on the break, with man-of-the-match Younes Mahmoud's pace a particular threat.

Younes Mahmoud gave a hint in the first-half when he acrobatically connected with a cross to draw a save from Al Mosailem.

Iraq's Karrar Jassim showed brilliant skills to trick his way past two defenders in a tight space, but his shot from a narrow angle was saved by the Saudi keeper.

Iraq keeper Noor Sabri Abbas was alert to produce a fine save to deny Taiseer Al Jassam on a rare Saudi raid.

But the Iraqis were sent into raptures on 72 minutes when the keeper flapped at a corner and Younes Mahmoud rose to plant in a header.

As the Saudis pushed for an equaliser, Iraq had several chances to kill off the game, but their failure almost returned to haunt them in stoppage time.

Iraq keeper Noor Sabri missed a cross and Malek Maaz's downward header bounced up and over the bar on to the roof of the net.

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Iraq beat Austrila en-route to the final & beat favourites Japan as well, i would of thought they'd use Missiles & Bombs to win, ah well, Crash Bandicoot has Wumpa Fruit, Iraq has Asian Cup!

Z[i]zou|| · Division 2 Novice

hehehe i had moneyy on Iraq from the start to win it... most of the squad was from their olympic team that came 3rd or 4th in the olympics carnt rember

i new australia would choke wasnt surprised world cup hang over...

TGL:CBKoE · Moderator

Z[i]zou|| · Division 2 Novice

we got them in our WC qualifiny group along with bahrain(3-0 win) China (0-0 draw wit 2nd string team) and iraq ... but this time we r better organised and r ready.