Iran

Asian Cup roundup: Aymen Hussein stuns Japan as Iraq qualify for last 16

19-Jan-2024 20:32:03 | The Guardian

• Iraq end 42-year wait for a victory over Japan
• Iran also into last 16 after 1-0 win over Hong Kong

Iraq claimed their first victory over Japan in 42 years when they won their Asian Cup Group D encounter 2-1 on Friday to qualify for the knockout stage thanks to a first-half double from Aymen Hussein.

Japan were unbeaten against their opponents in nine games and Iraq’s victory propelled them to the top of the group standings with six points from two games. Hajime Moriyasu’s side have three points, the same as Indonesia, who beat Vietnam 1-0 in the other Group D game.