Iraq's forward #18 Aymen Hussein heads the ball to score during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup Group D football match between Iraq and Vietnam at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on January 24, 2024. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)
Doha, Qatar: Aymen Hussein came off the bench and emerged as the hero for Iraq, scoring twice in the second half to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory over Vietnam in their final Group D fixture of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, yesterday.
At the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, the gifted striker scored in the 73rd and 90+12 minutes after Rebin Solaka had added one for the Lions of Mesopotamia, who trailed 0-1 at half-time.
Bui Hoang Viet Anh had earned Vietnam the lead in the 40th minute, while their second goal was scored by Nguyen Quang Hai in the 90+1 minute before Hussein fired the winner.
Iraq, unbeaten so far, will be looking to emulate their impressive run in the 2007 tournament when they clinched the title by defeating Saudi Arabia and coach Jesus Casas said it would make "a lot of people - 40 million Iraqi people - very happy."
"We can win," he said.
"But I know it's going to be hard."
The win kept Iraq’s flawless group stage performance intact as they secured the top spot with nine points.
Vietnam's players celebrate their first goal during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup Group D football match between Iraq and Vietnam at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on January 24, 2024. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)
Vietnam bid farewell to the tournament after suffering their third consecutive defeat.
Japan sealed the second spot in the group with a 3-1 victory over Indonesia at Al Thumama Stadium. After having secured a place in the knockout stage, Casas made wholesale changes to the starting line-up, with only defender Rebin Solaka maintaining his place.
Iraq survived an early scare as VAR intervened to overturn an own goal by Zaid Tahseen. The Iraqi defender attempted to clear Vo Minh Trong’s cross, but unintentionally sent the ball into their own net.
After being denied the goal, Vietnam took the lead in 40th minute when Bui Hoang Viet Anh sent a perfect volley into the middle of the Iraqi net after receiving the ball from Khuat Van Khang’s free-kick.
However, they were dealt with a major blow when one of their key strikers, Khuat Van Khang received a second caution, reducing the East Asian side to 10 men in the fourth minute of added time before the break.
Iraq seized the opportunity in the second half, bringing on forwards Ali Jasim and Hussein in the 46th minute.
Iraq's players celebrate with their supporters after the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup Group D football match between Iraq and Vietnam at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on January 24, 2024. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)
It didn’t take long to reap dividends. Just one minute later, Solaka netted his maiden international goal from a corner kick by Jasim to level the scores.
Iraq continued to apply pressure on the already weakened Vietnam side, and Hussein headed home their second goal in the 72nd minute, securing his fourth goal in the tournament.
Hussein could have enjoyed a hat-trick yesterday if not for a missed penalty in the dying minutes.
Vietnam managed to level the score with a stoppage-time goal from substitute Quang Hai, a strike that intensified the battle.
However, a last-minute penalty conceded by Vo Minh Trong gave Hussein another chance. The 28-year-old made no mistake this time, as he secured a thrilling win for Iraq, who headed to the last 16 with three straight victories.
