Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Muscat: Marwan Al Ajeeli scored twice in the second half as Iraq signaled their AFC U-22 Championship intentions with a comprehensive 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia at Seeb Sports Complex on Sunday.
Dawood Dhurgham’s spectacular first half volley set Hakeem Shakir’s Iraq on their way just before half-time of the Group D tie.
And with Al Ajeeli converting a pair of crosses from marauding winger Amjed Kalaf, Iraq joined Uzbekistan at the top of the Group D table after the Central Asians earlier recorded a 2-1 comeback win over China despite Mohammed Majrashi’s late consolation for Saudi Arabia.
“It was our first match in the competition against Saudi Arabia and before the game I knew what the strengths and weaknesses of this team were and all the players are now happy with this result. The three points are very good for our hopes of qualifying for the next round,” said Iraq coach Shakir, who must now prepare his side for Tuesday’s meeting with Uzbekistan.
“The players have played together for a long time and this is a good thing for Iraq. There were some disappointing areas, but we will look to improve these ahead of the next match.
“We are here to win this tournament. We hope we can reach the final as we are here to win the title.”
Saudi Arabia should have found themselves behind less than 30 seconds into the contest as goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais failed to hold a seemingly regulation right wing cross, but with the goal at his mercy, Al Ajeeli could only find the side netting from inside the six-yard area.
Iraq continued to be the more adventurous side in attack as the half progressed, but Saudi Arabia came close to a breakthrough against the run of play 10 minutes before half-time as Majed Al Najrani sent a looping header from Saeed Al Muwallad’s long throw onto the roof of the net.
But just two minutes later Waleed Al Lami’s high hanging left wing cross found Dhurgham unmarked at the back post and the midfielder’s spectacular volley gave Saudi goalkeeper Al Owais no chance as the custodian could only help deflect the strike onto the inside of the post.
And six minutes into the second half Al Ajeeli made up for his first half miss as the striker was on hand to follow up from the edge of the six yard area after the Saudi Arabia defence had failed to fully deal with Kalaf’s inviting right wing cross.
Saudi Arabia coach Khalid Al Koroni rang the changes in an attempt to find a way back into the contest, but Iraq continued to dominate and added a third nine minutes after the hour mark as Kalaf again provided the delivery following a powerful run down the right and Al Ajeeli was on hand to head home from close range.
Al Koroni’s side were able to end a disappointing tournament opener on a high note as Majrashi bundled home from close range with two minutes remaining, but Saudi Arabia will need to re-group quickly for Tuesday’s meeting with China.
“We fought hard for the win, but this is the first match and in football sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Iraq defended well and that was a problem for us,” said Saudi Arabia coach Al Koroni.
“Iraq have been playing together for a long time and six or seven of their players play for the full national team, that was the main difference between the two sides. I expected Iraq to play the way they did, they are very strong in defence and in midfield.
“We are missing a lot of players due to the Saudi League and we will try to change the strategy in order to qualify for the next round. We still have two games left and if we win these two games we will qualify for the next round.”