AFC Futsal Asian Cup
The last gasp win took Iraq to six points and with Indonesia defeating Kyrgyz Republic 5-3 in the group’s later tie, both teams confirmed their quarter-final tickets with a match to spare and will square off on Saturday to decide who tops the group.
Korea Republic began in positive fashion, Choi Hyun-bin and Eom Si-jun’s early attempts were blocked by Iraq custodian Hussein Ahmed, who then suffered an injury in the eighth minute and could not continue with Ibrahim Ahmed replacing him.
Salim Faisal, Iraq’s star performer in their 4-2 win against Kyrgyz Republic, was presented with several opportunities but his accuracy was not at the level expected of him.
The West Asians did go close in the 16th minute, Tareq Zeyad with a toe poke from outside the semi-circle but Jeong Joo-hoo read the situation well and was able to make a smart save.
The breakthrough came four minutes later after Iraq requested for a Video Support review for Kim Gun-woo’s foul on Haedr Majed with a penalty awarded and converted by the latter.
Group A: Korea Republic v Iraq
Item 1 of 6
Gun-woo didn’t have to wait long to redeem himself, slotting Kim Min-seong’s cross for the equaliser seconds after the interval.
Things got even better for Korea Republic in the 29th minute as they took the lead following a flowing counter attacking move with Eom Si-jun surging down the left flank before crossing precisely for Eom Ji-yong to sweep the ball home.
Iraq pushed hard for the equaliser but found Jeong to be in inspired form, first producing a fingertip save to deny Hayder Ali.
Faisal’s shot then beat the keeper but not the bar with Jeong then showing great agility to claw the ball away from the line after it had taken a couple of deflections.
Iraq’s persistence, however, was finally rewarded in the 38th minute when Faisal’s shot from distance took a deflection and caught out Jeong.
With Korea Republic searching for a winner, the game completely turned on its head with seconds left to play as Iraq won the ball on the halfway line and Salim Kadhim’s low shot rolled into an empty goalmouth for a thrilling win.
Related News
Item 1 of 5