Iraq’s place in a sixth consecutive Asian Cup quarter final goes on the line against a heroic and wildly popular Palestine in Canberra tonight. Join The Roar from 8.00pm (AEDT) for live blog coverage of the match.
Palestine have emerged as everyone’s second favourite team as they have negotiated the perils of a highly competitive Group D.
Refusing to be daunted by their much more highly fancied opposition, they have been tweeting that they only require an eleven goal victory against Iraq to progress through to the quarter finals.
That would require a major transformation from a Palestinian defence that have already leaked nine goals. Given their much publicised difficulties in even being able to assemble a team, the Palestinians have brought romance and passion to the 2015 finals. With ever growing public support, the excitement generated by their debut finals goal scored by Jaka Hbaisha in the 85th minute against Jordan spoke volumes about their character.
Victory for Iraq would ensure Iraq’s participation in the quarter finals, a feat they have achieved in every Asian Cup since 1996. As heirs to Iraq’s “golden generation” that secured the 2007 Asian Cup, Radhi Shenaishil’s side have struggled for consistency. This is a young side on the rise, showing significant promise.
A year on from the country’s success in the inaugural U22 Asian Cup, which followed from a 3rd place in the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup in 2013, the young Iraqis have been amassing great experience in tournament competition. Their mixed results leading to these finals however, have highlighted the difficulty in stepping up to open competition. Since achieving qualification in the final round, they remained without a win until the critical 1-0 win over Group D runner up rivals Jordan in the first round.
It is difficult not to see the Lions of Mesopotamia roaring in this one. With a quarter final berth on the line, Iraq has everything to play for. The Palestinians are justifiably tiring after stepping up to not only full time professionalism but also the emotional and physical demands of finals tournament play. With truly gifted young players such as Ahmed Yasin seemingly always waiting to be unleashed, and the experience of the talismanic Younus Mahmood, Iraq should be too strong for a brave Palestine.
Nothing is ever certain in football, but you can rely on Palestine to play with passion, pride, and power. Perhaps the weight of the 4 million Palestinians and millions more who have joined their campaign in spirit, will finally lift rather than burden star striker Ashraf Nu’man, and those eleven goals will magically materialise. Their enterprise and endeavour surely deserve at least one of them.
Prediction: My prediction is Iraq 4-1.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Two nations ravaged by needless and endless wars getting to celebrate their nations with pride on the football field. Won't solve any of their problems but it is beautiful nonetheless.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Younus Mahmood had an eventful second half scoring the opener and missing a penalty before Ahmed Yasin sealed the result for Iraq with a late strike. Thanks for joining The Roar tonight. That's it for the Asian Cup Group Stage, the quarter-finalists are known, and now it's a whole new competition as the best in Asia go head to head for continental glory. Enjoy your evening.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Wonderful scenes as Palestine wonder the ground thanking their supporters.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Iraq were made to work for it...full credit to Palestine who pushed them the whole 90 minutes. Nevertheless the 2007 champions are through to the quarter finals where they will meet Iran in Canberra on Friday night in what promises to be a blockbuster. Japan is the other team to get through from Group D courtesy of their 2-nil win over Jordan tonight.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
21. Saad AB for Iraq is awarded the player of the match.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
FULLTIME IRAQ 2 DEF PALESTINE 0
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
92' Iraq keen to just hold the ball to wind down the clock. Ali A decides to have a crack and hits the outside of the post. Enterprising play! IRQ 2 PLE 0
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
3 minutes of stoppage time will be played.
darran
Guest
Hope the score stays 1-0 200 bet on 12000 bk keemon
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
88 GOALLLL Ahmed Yasin ran on to a nice pass on the edge of the book. His shot took a deflection but it doesn't matter, the goal will stand next to his name. IRQ 2 PLE 0
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
87' Abuhammad tries a shot from distance to try and unsettle Iraq's 'keeper but his shot is well off-target IRQ 1 PLE 0
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
80' Marwan nearly makes an immediate impact as he appeals for a penalty Ref says no. 10 minutes to play and it's still anyone's game. IRQ 1 PLE 0
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
78' Mahmod comes off to a standing ovation 16. Marwan on Palestine Sub 16. Dhada off 19. Abuhabib on
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
74' Pressure building on Palestine though as Iraq earn a third successive corner. IRQ 1 PLE 0
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
74' Abuhammad makes a rare mistake but Younus can't take advantage of the mistake. Solid defence from Palestine.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
70' Iraq change 13. Osamah Rashid coming on for 8. Justin Meram
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
SUB PLE 10. Alamor goes off to be replaced by Palestine's leading Asian Cup goal scorer J. Hbaisha (13)
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Alamor tries a volley from distance - worth a go and it wasn't too far off target IRQ1 PLE 0
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
64' Palestine now earn a corner.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
63' Iraq really pushing now for that second goal. IRQ 1 PLE 0