AFC Asian Cup 2023: Iraq beat Japan 5-3 on penalties to make final of U20 Asian Cup

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AFC Asian Cup 2023: Iraq beat Japan 5-3 on penalties to make final of U20 Asian Cup

AFC Asian Cup 2023: Iraq beat Japan 5-3 on penalties to make final of U20 Asian Cup

Japan's Ayumu Yokoyama makes an attempt to score during the Asian Football Confederation U20 Asian Cup semi-final soccer match at the JAR stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Wednesday, March. 15, 2023. (AP)

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15 Mar 2023 07:03:48 GMT9

DUBAI: Iraq beat Japan 5-4 on penalties after the two teams battled to a 2-2 draw in extra time and 1-1 after 90 minutes of the AFC U20 Asian Cup semi-final match.

The match was played at the JAR Stadium in Uzbekistan’s capital city of Tashkent.

Iraq’s Ali Jasim scored the first goal of the match against Japan, but Takatora Einaga pulled one back for Japan against the run of play to take the match into extra-time.

However, Mohammed Jameel did a star turn for Iraq by scoring from close range to take Iraq closer to the final before Kumata dashed their hopes by scoring and taking the match into penalties.

Iraq held their nerves in the penalty shootout as all their five players found the net as against Japan’s four goals.

⚽️ GOAL | 🇮🇶 Iraq 2️⃣-2️⃣ Japan 🇯🇵

🤯 Naoki Kumata heads the ball home to level the scores again!

📺 Watch 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲: https://t.co/rIF78pEvzS #AFCU20 | #IRQvJPN pic.twitter.com/vMyDNHNtpI
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) March 15, 2023

⚽️ GOAL | 🇮🇶 Iraq 2️⃣-1️⃣ Japan 🇯🇵

💥 Mohammed Jameel sweeps the ball home from close range to put Iraq back in front again!

📺 Watch 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲: https://t.co/rIF78pEvzS #AFCU20 | #IRQvJPN pic.twitter.com/2zVKdAqQbN
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) March 15, 2023

Earlier, Iraq’s Ali Jasim scored the first goal of the match against Japan, but Takatora Einaga pulled one back for Japan against the run of play to take the match into extra-time.

⚽️ GOAL | 🇮🇶 Iraq 1️⃣-1️⃣ Japan 🇯🇵

☄️ Better late than never! Takatora Einaga curls in a beauty to draw Japan level!

📺 Watch 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲: https://t.co/rIF78pEvzS #AFCU20 | #IRQvJPN pic.twitter.com/o45bnamuOO
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) March 15, 2023

However, in extra time Mohammed Jameel scored from close range to put Iraq back in front again.

⚽️ GOAL | 🇮🇶 Iraq 1️⃣-0️⃣ Japan 🇯🇵

💭 It's a dream start for Iraq as Ali Jasim's stooping header gives them the lead!

📺 Watch 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲: https://t.co/rIF78pEvzS #AFCU20 | #IRQvJPN pic.twitter.com/P9fq6O86Eg
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) March 15, 2023

Japan’s Ambassador to Iraq Futoshi Matsumoto voiced his support on Twitter for both teams, saying: “Yallah both Iraq and Japan! I stand by both teams. I will send to all players Japanese Cherry Blossoms.”

Yallah both Iraq and Japan! I stand by both teams. I will send to all players Japanese Cherry Blossoms 🌸 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 🌸@afcasiancup_jp @afcasiancup_ar https://t.co/i25jSAtBQA
— Futoshi Matsumoto 🇯🇵🇮🇶 (@JAPANAmbIRAQ) March 15, 2023

This game will determine who will make the final with the upcoming semi-final match on Wednesday seeing Uzbekistan take on the Republic of South Korea.

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