Iraq were lucky: Al Koroni

Former AFC Youth Player of the Year Mohanad Abdulraheem scored the game’s only goal after 33 minutes, but the breakthrough came shortly after Saudi Arabia’s Abdulfattah Asiri had struck the post with a penalty on the half-hour mark.

“The penalty was important; it was a chance to take the lead in the match,” said Al Koroni.

“Iraq were lucky and they scored almost straightaway after we missed that spot kick. We tried to control the game afterwards and reach the goal of Iraq but we couldn’t quite do it.”

Al Koroni’s team went into the competition finale with five players ruled out with injury including first-choice goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais and then suffered yet more bad luck after 21 minutes as he saw his captain Motaz Hawsawi stretchered off the field.

“The injury to Motaz so early on hampered my chance to find solutions to change the game. I ended up with only six players to work with from the bench,” said Al Koroni.

“We missed so many players coming into this final, and all of them very good players. We did the best we could in the face of these adverse conditions, though, so getting to this stage was a good result.”

Saudi Arabia’s appearance in the final was the culmination of a mini renaissance for the team. Having lost to Iraq in their opening game, the team then went on an unbeaten run seeing off the likes of Uzbekistan, China, Australia and 2013 WAFF finalists Jordan on the way to the deciding game, but Hakeem Shakir’s side proved to be a nemesis once again for Al Koroni and his side.

“I’d like to congratulate the Iraq team and the Iraq coach Hakeem Shakir for their win today. And also praise my own players for their efforts,” added Al Koroni.

“The experience they have gained in this tournament and the chance for this group of players to play against some very good teams is a positive we’ll take away with us.”