Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Muscat: Marwan Al Ajeeli scored his third goal in two games as Iraq qualified for the quarter-finals of the AFC U-22 Championship after edging out Uzbekistan 2-1 in Group D at Seeb Sports Complex on Tuesday.
Al Ajeeli, who scored twice as Hakeem Shakir’s side began their campaign with a 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday, opened the scoring after just 10 minutes after again combining with midfielder Amjed Kalaf before Mustafa Jari’s header doubled Iraq’s lead before half-time.
And despite Jamshid Iskanderov reducing the deficit for fellow opening day winners Uzbekistan just after the hour mark, 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup semi-finalists Iraq held on to maintain their 100% record to advance to the last eight with a game to spare.
“I am very happy with six points. We wanted to win because we want to finish at the top of the group,” said Iraq coach Shakir, who sees his side round off their group stage campaign against China on Thursday.
“Uzbekistan are a strong team with good players so I needed to make a change in the centre of midfield in the second half to control the ball more.
“A coach will always say before the tournament that he is unsure if his team can win the tournament, but after two wins we are now trying to win this tournament.”
Clearly happy with Sunday’s win over Saudi Arabia, Iraq coach Shakir fielded an unchanged line-up with counterpart Shukhrat Maksudov opting to bring in seven new faces despite the weekend’s 2-1 comeback victory over China.
And Shakir’s faith in his side was repaid after just 10 minutes as marauding winger Kalaf, who had a hand in both of Al Ajeeli’s goals against Saudi Arabia, provided another inviting near post cross and the striker made no mistake with Uzbekistan goalkeeper Akmal Tursunbaev helpless.
Things almost got worse for Uzbekistan two minutes later as Tursunbaev had to be alert to race off his line to block at the feet of Kalaf, who had ghosted into space on the right edge of the Uzbekistan penalty area and was seemingly on course to double Iraq’s lead.
But seven minutes before half-time Tursunbaev was left rooted to the spot as Jari’s flicked header from Dawood Dhurgham’s right wing cross clipped the underside of the crossbar before dropping over the line with the Uzbekistan goalkeeper a mere spectator.
Needing an early goal to turn the tide, half-time substitute Dilshod Juraev sent a rising strike just over the crossbar nine minutes into second period for Uzbekistan before Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan made a regulation save from Diyorjon Turapov soon after in his first meaningful action of the contest.
Hassan, though, was beaten four minutes after the hour mark as Iskanderov stabbed home from close to the penalty spot after pouncing on a loose ball inside the Uzbekistan penalty area.
Shakir reacted by withdrawing goalscorer Al Ajeeli with 17 minutes remaining, and introducing midfielder Ali Faez, to leave Mohanad Abdulraheem as the lone forward in front of a five-man midfield.
And the move almost paid dividends just three minutes later as only a point blank save from Tursunbaev denied the newly introduced Faez.
Uzbekistan coach Maksudov responded by introducing Igor Sergeev, who scored Sunday’s last-gasp winner against China, with 13 minutes remaining but the Central Asians were unable to find a response despite several spells of late pressure.
“It was a very painful loss for us, but I also feel that we were unlucky as Iraq’s goals came from our mistakes,” said Uzbekistan coach Maksudov, who must now quickly re-group the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup quarter-finalists for Thursday’s meeting with Saudi Arabia.
“We had very little time for preparation so the players are not physically ready, so as we must play three games in six days, we must save the physical condition of the players. But all the players played well and I am happy.
“I saw Iraq’s last game before we played them and they are a very strong team. They played in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey and they are a very strong team.”