April 23 – Iraq leapfrogged current U23 Asian Cup champions Saudi Arabia to top Group C with a 2-1 win over the Saudis on Monday night.
Having lost their first match at the finals to Thailand, they now head into the quarter finals and a tie against either Uzbekistan or Vietnam, who play tonight.
Iraq took the lead late in the first half through a penalty. Mustafa Saadoon was brought down by Saleem Alabsi leaving Ali Jasim to convert the spot kick in the first minute of added time.
But 10 minutes deep into first half added time the Saudis equalised with a penalty of their own. Saadoon was judged to have elbowed Haitham Asiri, with Ahmed Al Ghamdi scoring from the spot.
Iraq scored their winner in the 63rd minute after Alabsi failed to clear the ball cleanly, allowing Saadoon to get in with the ball bouncing off his chest and into the net from from Saad Alnasser’s clearance.
South Korea set up Indonesia quarter final
South Korea topped Group B with a 1-0 win over Japan to set up a quarter final with Indonesia, runners up in Group A.
The match against Japan was settled by Kim Min-woo’s 75th minute header.
Japan will meet Group A winners and tournament hosts Qatar in the next round.
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