Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ho Chi Minh City: Waleed Khalid scored in the last minute as Iraq claimed a last-gasp 2-1 victory over AFC Futsal Championship hosts Vietnam on Wednesday.
After constricting the hosts in the first half of the Group C opener, Iraq made the breakthrough two minutes after half-time thanks to Firas Mohammed’s deflected strike in front of more than 3,000 fans at Phu Tho Stadium
The lead, though, was short lived as Hussein Al Zubaidi deflected a shot from Pham Thanh Dat past goalkeeper Ahmed Duraid three minutes later.
And Vietnam continued to push for the victory only for Iraq to punish the hosts with Khalid, who had earlier missed a penalty, netting following a counterattack.
“It is hard to describe my feelings after that game,” said Iraq coach Haitham Abbas.
"We are very happy because we know that with that win we are now half way to the second round.
“For this game we defended our zone very well and relied on the counterattack and that is what won it."
Vietnam made the brighter start of the two teams and nearly got the early goal they were looking for after just two minutes but Vu Xuan Du saw his effort come back off the post.
The hosts continued to dominate possession in the first half, with Iraq barely making it out of their own half, but Vietnam were restricted to long range efforts.
Phung Trong Luan had the best opportunity of the half for Vietnam when he was found from a corner kick in the 17th minute but saw his shot hit the crossbar.
And seconds later Iraq were given the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot with Vietnam penalised for an accumulation of six team fouls, but goalkeeper Tran Buu Phuoc did enough to put off Khalid and maintain parity.
But against the run of play Iraq did open the scoring two minutes after the break when Mohammed’s shot from wide was deflected past goalkeeper Buu Phouc by Ly Khanh Hung.
Vietnam, though, struck back three minutes later when a shot from Thanh Dat hit Al Zubaidi to wrongfoot Iraq goalkeeper.
Both teams pushed for the winner and Vietnam were given a warning when Khalid hit the post with three minutes remaining following an Iraq counterattack.
But the winning goal from Iraq came in the final minute of play when Khalid pounced on a clearance, and with no one back for Vietnam to defend, he fired a low shot past Buu Phuoc.
"I think we dominated in all the situations in the game apart from the most important thing; the score,” said Vietnam coach Bruno Garcia
“I have confidence in our forward play and we want good forward play to win the game.
“The situation is always more difficult when one team is not trying to score, but we had so many chances and did not score.
“The support was very good for the full 40 minutes and I want to thank the fans.”
Vietnam will play Tajikistan in their next group game on Friday, while Iraq will face Kuwait at the Phu Tho Stadium.