Thailand beat Iraq, Japan edge past China
DOHA: Thailand got off to a dream start in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 ater they produced a 2-0 victory against Iraq in their Group C tie at the Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday.
A clinical performance from Ithsara Sritharo’s charges saw them net once in each half to secure a stunning result, which was also their first ever success against Iraq at U23 level having lost three of their previous six encounters to date.
In the second meeting between these two teams in Finals history, it was Iraq who asserted themselves early on and registered the first shot on target through Zaid Tahseen’s long-range free-kick, but it was straight at Thai custodian Soponwit Rakyart.
The Southeast Asians soon grew into the game though with Seksan Ratree’s atempt before Purachat Thodsanit’s weak effort was fielded by Iraqi goalkeeper Hussein Hasan.
Four minutes later, the deadlock was broken. Erawan Garnier, the 18-year-old Olympique Lyonnais player who had been lively in his Thai age-group debut, popped up on the let to deliver a perfect cross that was met by right-back Waris Choolthong, who ghosted in to produce a calm first-time finish past Hasan.
The well-worked opener galvanised Iraq and Zaid Ismael stabbed a loose ball over following a corner, before captain Tahseen headed a decent opportunity wide from another corner.
Radhi Shenaishil then brought on full internationals Ali Jasim and Muntadher Mohammed just past the half-hour mark, joining senior-capped Tahseen and Mustafa Saadoun on the pitch as Iraq sought an equaliser.
Earelir, substitute Lee Young-jun’s header deep into added time saw South Korea snatch a 1-0 win over UAE in their Group B tie at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Tuesday.
The last gasp win means South Korea share the Group B top spot with Japan, who defeated China by the same score earlier on Tuesday.
South Korea dominated the early proceedings but UAE’S compact defence made it very hard for the 2020 winners to find a way through as they were limited to atempts from outside the box.
UAE goalkeeper Khaled Tawhid, however, had to be on his toes — parrying away Lee Kang-hee’s effort in the 14th minute, before denying Hong Si-hoo three minutes later.
South Korea thought they had prevailed in the 18th minute when An Jae-jun struck home Kang Sang-yoon’s pass from close range, only for the later to be ruled offside.
UAE, while content to sit deep, gave Korea Republic the occasional scare through Yaser Al Blooshi and Zayed Sultan on the right flank but the last chance of the first half fell to Paik Sang-hoon, only for the FC Seoul midfielder to send his strike straight into the arms of Tawhid.