Iraq vs Japan 2-1: AFC Asian Cup 2023 – as it happened

What a start to the day’s action at the AFC Asian Cup.

Vietnam and Indonesia have a lot to live up to in the next fixture, which kicks off in under half an hour.

Hong Kong take on Iran in Group C later in the day.

We’ll have plenty more coverage from the Asian Cup in the coming days, and we have a live blog covering Friday evening’s AFCON match between Senegal vs Cameroon.

For now, thanks for joining me for an eventful game in Qatar.

He only played for 45 minutes, but Ayman Hussein was undoubtedly one of the players of the match today.

He’s now got three goals at this Asian Cup – the same tally as he picked up at the Gulf Cup last year.

The Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya forward is playing with plenty of confidence and will be a danger for any defence as this tournament progresses.

ITS FULL TIME IN DOHA

2️⃣ 🇮🇶 – 🇯🇵1️⃣

⚽️⚽️ Ayman Hussein pic.twitter.com/3qBBVgzWu8

— Iraq Football Podcast (@IraqFootballPod) January 19, 2024

FT | 🇮🇶 Iraq 2️⃣-1️⃣ Japan 🇯🇵

💪 Aymen Hussein's brace earns Iraq a famous victory and a spot in the Round of 16!#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #IRQvJPN pic.twitter.com/nZDij3irZc

— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 19, 2024

𝘜𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘈𝘭-𝘙𝘢𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘯 – The Lions of Mesopotamia. 🦁

The first team to beat Japan at an #AsianCup group stage in over 35 years! 🇮🇶#IRQvJPN #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/eY52OU9JNV

— Iraq National Team (@IraqNT_EN) January 19, 2024

The Samurai Blue came into this game on the back of 11 consecutive victories, but that run of results has come to an end with defeat at the Education City Stadium.

Japan, as usual, saw plenty of the ball. But they spent large parts of the game failing to find a way through Iraq’s back line. They also missed some big chances, including a second half header from Maeda.

They still have a good chance of making it out of Group D, but a lot will now hinge on the result between Vietnam and Indonesia.

The teams are out for that one:

📋 LINE UPS | 🇻🇳 Vietnam 🆚 Indonesia 🇮🇩

We have the team sheets and now, we await kick off!

The Golden Star Warriors and Team Garuda are set to go head to head in Group D 💪

Watch Live 🔗 https://t.co/nJZ0pcUSJt #AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #VIEvIDN pic.twitter.com/8frMplG6ti

— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 19, 2024

Iraq's insanely exciting 3-2 AET Gulf Cup final win over Oman and this now against Japan…

… they really know how to step it up in big games, and have the firepower up top to win them

More people need to watch Asian Cups because it's beyond competitive & very high level too

— Ben Griffis (@BeGriffis) January 19, 2024

Casas and Iraq needed a result like this to make a statement. 1st victory over Japan in 40 years. Casas' lineup/tactics both confused & frustrated Japan, playing Frans Dhia Putros but not changing the 4-5-1 formation and not allowing Japan to get into their usual rhythm were key pic.twitter.com/mKN6O6fXji

— Hassanin Mubarak (@hassaninmubarak) January 19, 2024

✨ 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐃 ✨⁣⁣

🇮🇶 The Lions of Mesopotamia are Round of 16 bound!#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/TkFhDXUJMz

— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 19, 2024

That was a fantastic match, with the Iraqi players giving everything for their country.

They certainly caught Japan on a bad day, but that should not take away from how well Iraq played.

With two wins from two, they have secured qualification for the last 16 and can potentially rest players for their final group game with Vietnam.

Japan remain second on three points and may well need a result against Indonesia in their final group match.

Vietnam will take on Indonesia in less than an hour in Doha.

Iraq have done it!

A famous win against a much-fancied Japanese side.

The full-time whistle sparks huge celebrations in the stands. Those Iraq fans were put through an emotional rollercoaster in extra time, but they can now enjoy this win.

A well deserved victory for the Lions of Mesopotamia, who have qualified for the last 16.

FT: 🇮🇶 #Iraq 2-1 Japan 🇯🇵

WE HAVE BEATEN JAPAN TO GO TOP OF GROUP D!!! 💪🦁#IRQvJPN #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/umzKHZs6Cu

— Iraq National Team (@IraqNT_EN) January 19, 2024

We are past the scheduled eight minutes, but play continues.

Iraq win a goal kick. Surely, this is it …

90+8 mins: Iraq 2-1 Japan

An offside gives Iraq some breathing space and a chance to punt the ball up the field.

It’s agony for the Iraq fans who thought their team had this win sealed.

90+7 mins: Iraq 2-1 Japan

This is an unbelievable finish.

Doan strikes an effort just outside the area. The ball takes a wild deflection, looping into the air but just wide.

The resulting corner causes complete chaos in the Iraqi box, with multiple efforts blocked by some last-ditch defending.

90+6 mins: Iraq 2-1 Japan

Well then, have we got a comeback on our hands?

Japan win a corner on the left. The ball is swung in and it’s a howler from Hassan who misses the ball. It leaves Endo with a simple header at the back post.

It’s all to play for now.

90+3 mins: Iraq 2-1 Japan

Adnan is the latest Iraqi defender to put his body on the line for the cause.

He dives in to stop a cross, conceding a corner. The first Japanese corner comes to nothing, but a subsequent one finds Tomiyasu who can’t keep a headed effort on target.

The board goes up and there are eight minutes more to play.

90 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan

Ali picks out yet another long ball, seeing off two Japanese defenders.

His effort is wayward, flying over the bar.

Hajime Moriyasu looks less than impressed on the touchline. His side have struggled to carve out many opportunities today.

87 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan

The Iraqi flag is flying in the stands, as the fans start to believe that their team has this win in the bag.

The Lions of Mesopotamia have made an excellent start to this tournament.

85 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan

A difficult headed chance for Doan goes wide, with the Japanese forward leaning back as he jumped for the ball.

It wouldn’t have counted anyway, as the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.

Shortly after and Maeda probably should score. He out jumps his marker at the back post to get on the end of a delicious ball from Minamino, but his headed effort flies wide of the post.

83 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan

In a rare attack, Doski gets in down the Japanese left and strikes a low cross in the box.

It’s well read by the Japanese defence and cleared away to safety.

Iraq’s counters are rare, but they still pose a real threat.

80 mins: Iraq 2-0 Japan