Iraq 1-0 Saudi Arabia

 

 

 

Source from BBC Sport

 

 

 

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

 

Captain Younes Mahmoud planted in a towering header for the winner after Saudi keeper Yasser Al Mosailem flailed despairingly at a corner.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Congratulations to the Iraqi team \.

 

 

 

What a brilliant performance they've done today. Although under the situations they're facing in the country (war) but they still have the spirit to play football.

 

Very Great Achievement :thumbsup:

I agree, thats pretty impressive especially with everything that's going on.

Congrats to them. :)

 

Now we should make the war into a soccer game. US vs. Iraq, Mr. Bush being the US coach. :twisted:

I'm extremely happy for the Iraqi National Team - they unite their nation and bring hope whenever they're out on the pitch. But gee, I hope there aren't going to be as many deaths as there were after the semis :-s.

i know that Japan, South Korea, Australia, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia are the main big teams, but how does Iraq rate?

Who did Iraq beat again?

 

 

 

Congratulations to them as to be honest i thought South Korea or Japan would win

i know that Japan, South Korea, Australia, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia are the main big teams, but how does Iraq rate?

 

 

 

Well as far as i know that Iraq is currently ranked 80 in the whole world and 7th or 8th in Asia 8-).

 

 

 

This should go up now since Iraq won the Asian Cup 2007 :wink:.

Reminds me of the Greeks winning Euro 2004.

GO IRAQ GO! :thumbsup:

 

 

 

Here comes Iraq for the WORLD CUP TO! They played amazingly, if you watched they dominated this tournment. They deserve it, and the people deserve it!

 

 

 

Very nice job guys!

 

 

 

Pherhaps Iraq will play Usa? The Winners from ever " Cup " (Euro,Asian,etc) play each other a little before World cup. Oh boy, if U.S.A plays Iraq It will be a treat to watch!

 

 

 

Haha, Congrats!:D

These kind of things are just awesome. If a country can completely kick [wagon] in soccer during a war, you can tell how strong they are. :)

If i remember, didnt iraq get a bronze medal for soccer in the summer Olympics?

If i remember, didnt iraq get a bronze medal for soccer in the summer Olympics?

 

 

 

According to FIFA's site, they got 4th and the fair-play along with Argentina.

definitely good for them, they need something positive to celebrate about

Awesome - sounds like something to base a movie off of. :P

yah, its pretty amazing.

 

and i saw it live, too :D

 

i feel happy for them :thumbsup:

Good on 'em :wink:

And the country that has the worst homefield for their opponent... :P I personally got few euros from that match, placed 5e on Iraq as I was relatively sure they would not lose that important match at their homefield.

I think their captain is having a trial with a big club soon as well. Hopefully, the team ca continue to inspire the nation with hope. Funny thing, football.

Iraq is back:D

Congrats to Iraq. Hopefully it raises the moral in their country.

That's so awesome for Iraq. Winning that competition must be an incredible feeling for the Iraqi people, especially in light of all the horrible things they've had to endure over the last few decades and in particular, the last few years.

 

 

 

Well done Iraq... hope it's the first of many.