The Golden Dragons have been impressive – they lead at the first half.
Tuesday saw perhaps the most entertaining group stage match of UAE 2019 thus far. Iraq came from behind twice and ultimately grabbed all three points thanks to Adnan’s superb free-kick at the death.
Vietnam took the lead through an own goal by Ali Faez Atiyah in the 24th minute only for Mohanad Ali Kadhim to bring Iraq level just over ten minutes later. Nguyen Cong Phuong then put the AFF Championship winners back in front right before the break, showing his quick instincts to bundle home a rebound.
Humam Tareq Faraj brought Iraq level 15 minutes into the second half with a close-range deflected shot, setting the stage for Adnan to complete Lions of Mesopotamia’s impressive comeback in style with a well-placed, curling free-kick beyond the reach of keeper Dang Van Lam.
Iraq clinched a 2-0 win in the sides’ only previous Asian Cup encounter in 2007, the tournament they went on to lift the trophy.
The Vietnamese now face the uphill task of facing IR Iran on 11 January, while Iraq will play Yemen on the same day.
#AsianCup2019 #BringItAll #IRQvVIE