Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Antalya: Iraq continued their fight-back spirit as they came from a goal down to register an impressive 2-1 victory over Egypt in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013 topping Group E with four points from two matches.
Ammar Abdulhussein cancelled out Hassan Ahmed 27th minute opener in the 33rd minute and reigning AFC Youth Player of the Year Mohanad Abdulraheem scored the winner eleven minutes from time to register the sensational victory over the Pharaohs.
Iraq will take on second-place Chile while third-place England face pointless Egypt in Saturday’s simultaneous Group E match-ups where a win will see the Mesopotamian Lions consolidate their position on top of the group and qualify for the knock-out stages of the competition.
Iraq have four points from two matches while Chile, who drew 1-1 against England on Wednesday, are second due to inferior goal differences.
In an even first-half, Egypt drew first blood in the 27th minute through Ahmed who connected a brilliant header past Iraq goalie Mohammed Hameed off Ibrahim Osama’s cross.
It took just six minutes for Hakeem Shakir’s side to restore the parity and this time a solo effort from Abudlhussein saw Iraq on their way to yet another fight-back in the competition. The forward controlled the ball in the midfield area and charged forward unchallenged and connected a brilliant low shot into the bottom of the right-hand corner from 25 yards.
Abdulraheem, who had scored five goals in the AFC U-19 Championship 2012 back in November where Iraq managed to reach the final where they lost to Korea Republic on penalty, scored his first goal of the tournament to win the match. He showed tremendous skill to flick the ball past Metwaly Mahmoud, took it round the keeper away from Ibrahim Osama and somehow found a gap to shoot between two defenders sliding in to cover the line.
Photo: AFP