The Iraqi national team achieved a valuable victory against their Indonesian counterparts, winning 3-1 today, Monday, at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium as part of the first round of Group D in the Asian Cup held in Qatar. Mohanad Ali (Mimi) scored the first goal for Iraq in the 17th minute, while Marcelino Ferdinan equalized for the Indonesian team in the 37th minute.
Osama Rashid added Iraq's second goal in the 45+6 minute, before substitute Ayman Hussein confirmed the victory for the Iraqi Lions by scoring the third goal in the 75th minute. With this win, Iraq collected its first 3 points, placing them second in the group, just behind Japan, which won against Vietnam 4-2 yesterday.
Iraq started attacking through a header from Osama Rashid that went close to the left post, while the Indonesian team responded with a dangerous attempt from Marcelino Ferdinan, but his shot hit the crossbar. Mimi nearly put Iraq ahead after breaking through against the Indonesian goalkeeper, but the defense thwarted his attempt.
The Iraqi offensive continued, and the crossbar denied Mimi again with a header before he finally scored Iraq's first goal following another breakaway. The star of the match, Mimi, continued to attempt shots on the Indonesian goal, but his header just missed the crossbar.
From a counterattack, Indonesia managed to level the score through winger Ferdinan, who received an accurate pass and easily placed the ball in the net past goalkeeper Jalal Hassan.
Osama Rashid seized Iraq's second goal after following up a shot from Ali Jassim that was saved by the Indonesian goalkeeper, ending the first half with Iraq leading 2-1.
At the start of the second half, Iraq pressed strongly and was able to add a third goal through Amir Al-Amari, but it was ruled out after the VAR review. Indonesian striker Rafael Stroik had a chance to equalize, but his header went just past the right post. Substitute Ayman Hussein seized the ball and scored strongly into the roof of the Indonesian net, making it Iraq's third goal.
Another substitute, Youssef Al-Amin, attempted to add a fourth goal with a powerful shot, but it went near the right post. Iraq's coach Jesus Casas made several defensive substitutions in the final minutes to maintain their lead, ending the match with a victory for the Iraqi Lions at 3-1.
