Iraq cruise into last 16 with Yemen rout
SHARJAH: Iraq sealed a place in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 knockout stage after cruising to a 3-0 win over Yemen in a Group D tie at the Sharjah Stadium on Saturday.
Iraq’s second successive victory -- having defeated Vietnam 3-2 on Matchday One -- meant Srecko Katanec’s team join Islamic Republic of Iran on six points with Wednesday’s clash with Team Melli to determine who finishes at the top of the standings.
Despite Iraq coming into the match as the heavy favourites, it was Yemen who applied the early pressure.
Iraq, however, gradually began to dominate possession and took the lead in the 11th minute when 18-year-old Mohanad Ali Kadhim Alshammari beat the Yemen defence before unleashing a shot from outside the box into the bottom right corner.
Yemen goalkeeper Saoud Alsowadi soon found himself under incessant pressure and conceded the second goal in the 19th minute when Bashar Resan Bonyan’s strike from the top of the box bounced off the right post before settling in the net.
Iraq took their foot off the pedal after that but Jan Kocian’s Yemen found it difficult to gain possession as the 2007 champions comfortably held on to their lead going into the break.
The 2015 semi-finalists Iraq ended proceedings on a high note as Alaa Abbas score with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box into the net.