The Iraqi national team achieved a dramatic victory over their Vietnamese counterparts with a score of (3-2) in a match held today, Wednesday, at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al-Sadd, during the third round of Group D of the Asian Cup currently taking place in Qatar.
Vietnam's Bui Hoang managed to put his team in the lead by scoring the first goal in the 42nd minute, but Iraqi defender Rebin Sulaka equalized in the 47th minute. Ayman Hussein added Iraq's second goal in the 73rd minute, but substitute Hai scored Vietnam's second equalizer in the 90+1 minute. In the dying moments, Ayman Hussein secured the victory for Iraq with a penalty in the 90+12 minute.
With this win, Iraq increased its points to 9, topping the group with a perfect score, while Vietnam exited the tournament without any points.
In terms of performance, the Iraqi team was fielded in a different lineup compared to their previous match against Japan, with coach Casas making 10 changes to give substitutes a chance. Iraq had their first real scoring opportunity through Zidan Iqbal in the first minute, but his powerful shot was blocked by Vietnam's defense.
The referee disallowed a Vietnamese goal scored from a friendly fire in the 17th minute after consulting the video assistant referee, confirming that Vietnamese striker Nguyen was in an offside position. Iraq retaliated with a near miss by striker Ali Al-Hamadi, and Zidan Iqbal almost put the Lions of Mesopotamia in front, but Vietnam's goalkeeper Philip Nguyen saved his shot.
Captain Bashar Rasheed had a chance but was denied by Vietnam's defense. Vietnamese striker Bui Hoang seized the lead for his team three minutes before halftime, scoring from a long pass and placing the ball in the center of the Iraqi net with a weak response from goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.
A minute before the end of stoppage time, specifically in the 45+4 minute, the referee issued a red card to Vietnamese player Khaot Van Kang, ending the first half with Vietnam ahead by one goal.
In an exciting second half, Rebin Sulaka equalized for Iraq with a beautiful header into the Vietnamese net. Zidan Iqbal attempted to double the team's lead after maneuvering past several Vietnamese defenders but shot wide. Defender Zaid Tahsin had a chance with a header, which was expertly saved by goalkeeper Philip Nguyen. Substitute Youssef Al-Amir missed an easy opportunity by heading the ball near the right post.
Vietnamese striker Van attempted to surprise the Iraqi defense with a powerful header, which was also saved by Ahmed Basil. Ayman Hussein scored Iraq's second goal with a precise header into the Vietnamese net, moving him to the top of the tournament's scoring charts.
Ayman Hussein missed a penalty in the 83rd minute, hitting the right post, but Hai managed to equalize for Vietnam after entering the box and shooting powerfully to the left of Ahmed Basil. In the final moments, Ayman Hussein snatched a precious winning goal for Iraq from a penalty, marking his fifth personal goal and solidifying his lead in the scoring charts.
