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Played
January 19, 2011 9:45 PM IST
Ahmed bin Ali Stadium — Umm al-Afā'ī
Referee: S. Mohd Salleh
Attendance: 4111
January 19, 2011 9:45 PM IST
Ahmed bin Ali Stadium — Umm al-Afā'ī
Referee: S. Mohd Salleh
Attendance: 4111
Iraq 1-0 North Korea: Unconvincing Holders Secure Quarter-Final Spot
Iraq never hit the heights of their previous two games but they still managed to overcome the North Koreans to make the last eight.
By Gary Niblock
Asian Cup holders Iraq secured a place in the quarter-finals with an unconvincing 1-0 victory over a workmanlike North Korean side. Kerrar Jasim's first-half strike proved decisive although it was not all one-way traffic. North Korea showed some spirit after the break but were unable to muster an equaliser against a below-par Iraqi outfit.
The Lions of Mesopotamia took the lead in the 21st minute. Mustafa Kareem let fly from distance on his right side but his shot was well beaten away by Myong-Guk Ri. With the goalkeeper scrambling to recover, Kerrar Jasim - brought into the side today - reacted quickest to fire the rebound into the net. It was a deserved lead for the Iraqis, whose superiority was clear.
After what had been a nondescript opening quarter-hour, Iraq created the first clear cut chance of the game. Mehdi Kareem's corner was headed towards goal by Samal Saeed and then helped onto the crossbar by Mustafa Kareem. North Korea failed to threaten until a 24th minute long-range free-kick from Jong Tae-Se was beaten away by Mohammad Kassid.
Four minutes later Bochum striker Jong should have done better when he was found by an excellent ball over the top from midfielder Pak Nam-Chol. His first touch on his chest was too heavy and with the space denied by a combination of Basem Abbas and Kassid, he shot into the side netting. Mustafa Kareem put an excellent opportunity over on 35 minutes but the Iraqis were deserved leaders at the interval.
To their credit, North Korea came into the game a lot more after the break, keeping the ball better and the pressure applied saw the Iraqis lose their way somewhat. Left-sided midfielder Yong-Gi Ryang had a decent right-footed effort on target nine minutes after the interval after an errant clearance from Ahmed Ibrahim before Jong Tae-Se's low shot was saved by Ri.
Iraq barely worried the North Korean defence in the second half and they were fortunate to survive a late penalty shout. However, the holders did just enough to hold on for the victory. North Korea crash out of the tournament at the group stage without scoring a single goal while Iraq, who finish second to Iran in the group, will meet Australia in the quarter-finals.
The Lions of Mesopotamia took the lead in the 21st minute. Mustafa Kareem let fly from distance on his right side but his shot was well beaten away by Myong-Guk Ri. With the goalkeeper scrambling to recover, Kerrar Jasim - brought into the side today - reacted quickest to fire the rebound into the net. It was a deserved lead for the Iraqis, whose superiority was clear.
After what had been a nondescript opening quarter-hour, Iraq created the first clear cut chance of the game. Mehdi Kareem's corner was headed towards goal by Samal Saeed and then helped onto the crossbar by Mustafa Kareem. North Korea failed to threaten until a 24th minute long-range free-kick from Jong Tae-Se was beaten away by Mohammad Kassid.
Four minutes later Bochum striker Jong should have done better when he was found by an excellent ball over the top from midfielder Pak Nam-Chol. His first touch on his chest was too heavy and with the space denied by a combination of Basem Abbas and Kassid, he shot into the side netting. Mustafa Kareem put an excellent opportunity over on 35 minutes but the Iraqis were deserved leaders at the interval.
To their credit, North Korea came into the game a lot more after the break, keeping the ball better and the pressure applied saw the Iraqis lose their way somewhat. Left-sided midfielder Yong-Gi Ryang had a decent right-footed effort on target nine minutes after the interval after an errant clearance from Ahmed Ibrahim before Jong Tae-Se's low shot was saved by Ri.
Iraq barely worried the North Korean defence in the second half and they were fortunate to survive a late penalty shout. However, the holders did just enough to hold on for the victory. North Korea crash out of the tournament at the group stage without scoring a single goal while Iraq, who finish second to Iran in the group, will meet Australia in the quarter-finals.
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