AFC U23 Asian Cup
Trailing to Ammori Faisal’s 63rd minute penalty, Australia hit back in added on time through Yaya Dukuly and Mathias Macallister to advance in stunning fashion, topping the group with six points and setting up a quarter-final encounter with Korea Republic on Saturday.
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The match got off to a cagey start at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, with the first threatening moment coming in the 21st minute with Aymen Luay almost catching Australia off guard with an overlapping run while Dukuly's cross at the other hand for James Overy stopped by the offside flag.
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Australia had the first real look on goal in the 27th minute when Iraq could only clear Jaylan Pearman’s through ball as far as Overy, whose curling effort forced Layth Sajid into a fingertip save.
Iraq threatened in the 41st minute when Hameed Ali weaved past his marker but fired his low drive straight at Australia keeper Steven Hall as the teams went into the break on level terms.
Iraq threatened in the 41st minute when Hameed Ali weaved past his marker but fired his low drive straight at Australia keeper Steven Hall as the teams went into the break on level terms.
Group D: Iraq v Australia
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The West Asian side were left scrambling almost immediately after the restart when Luka Jovanovic broke into the box following a fast break, freeing up space to set up Dukuly who, however, could only find the side netting.
Iraq almost got their act together in the 52nd minute when Luay laid the ball perfectly for Faisal inside the box but the Al Karma Sports Club midfielder sent his curling effort over the bar before Luay forced Hall to tip over his long range effort.
Iraq almost got their act together in the 52nd minute when Luay laid the ball perfectly for Faisal inside the box but the Al Karma Sports Club midfielder sent his curling effort over the bar before Luay forced Hall to tip over his long range effort.
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The duo continued to torment Australia and another counter-attacking move led to Hall conceding a penalty after tripping Luay, leaving Faisal to fire past the Australian keeper from the spot in the 63rd minute.
Australia pushed for the equaliser but Jed Drew saw his tame effort comfortably collected by Sajid a minute later, while Jovanovic and Nathan Paull failed to trouble the Iraq custodian from inside the area.
Australia pushed for the equaliser but Jed Drew saw his tame effort comfortably collected by Sajid a minute later, while Jovanovic and Nathan Paull failed to trouble the Iraq custodian from inside the area.
Australia thought they had been given a lifeline after the referee pointed to the spot in the 73rd minute following Adam Rasheed’s foul on Dukuly but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.
A lapse in concentration led to Australia equalising in the third minute of stoppage time after Joshua Rawlin floated a perfect cross to an unmarked Dukuly to power his header past Sajid.
A lapse in concentration led to Australia equalising in the third minute of stoppage time after Joshua Rawlin floated a perfect cross to an unmarked Dukuly to power his header past Sajid.
With Iraq pushing forward, Australia took advantage four minutes later with a slick team move which saw Macallister turning in Jovanovic’s layoff from inside the six-yard-box to seal the win and progression into the quarter-finals.
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