Iraq schools Japan 3-1 in groups of Asiad

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Japan were schooled 3-1 by Iraq as the defending Asian Games champions missed out on booking a spot in the knockout phase on Wednesday.

A second-half brace by Ali Al-Timimi added to Humam Faraj’s opener and gave Iraq their second victory in as many games in Group D and a place in the last 16.

Shoya Nakajima had leveled before halftime for Makoto Teguramori’s under-21s, who were overpowered by a seasoned under-23 Iraqi side featuring overage players including 2007 Asian Cup MVP Younis Mahmoud.

Japan’s next game is on Sunday against Nepal, who were thrashed 5-0 by Kuwait earlier Wednesday.

“We lost by two (goals) on paper but if you ask me did we deserve to lose by two then no. We didn’t take our chances and that was the bottom line,” said Teguramori.

“I thought we did well to equalize so their second goal was regrettable. I think we were able to match Iraq. We kept up with their pace and power and I think if we face them again in the knockout phase we can beat them,” he added.

“We missed an opportunity to win tonight but tonight’s defeat doesn’t mean we can’t win the title,” He said.

As expected, Japan were put to test by Iraq from the start and fell behind after 12 minutes, when they paid the price for a piece of careless defending.

A half-clearance from Meiji University’s Sei Muroya landed right at the feet of 18-year-old Faraj, who didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger from the edge of the box, netting into the bottom corner.

Al-Timimi nearly doubled the advantage with a dipping free kick from 35 meters out, but goalkeeper Ayumi Niekawa came to the rescue with a fine leaping save.

Iraq continued to control the game with their physicality and pace, looking like they would open up a bigger lead going into the intermission.

But Japan caught a break in the 36th minute when Nakajima managed to brush off Sameh al-Mamori on the short counter, and held his nerve to beat goalkeeper Mohammed Farhan in a one-on-one to restore parity.

Japan failed to capitalize on their luck in the second half, though, going down 2-1 in the 48th minute because of another lapse in the defense.

Al-Timimi slipped right through the back line uncontested as Al Mamori’s ball over the top came in, volleying past Niekawa to re-establish Iraq’s advantage.

Al-Timimi took matters into his own hand to make it 3-1 in the 72nd minute, blasting a 25-meter free kick from the right wing into the top corner off Niekawa’s hand.

Japan had their fair share of chances to take points off Iraq, but inaccuracy in front of goal cost them a place in the round of 16 with a game to spare.

The Iraqi coach Hakim Shakir said “The match was a real combat for the lead of the group and we achieved the goal in front of an important team,” noting that “The Iraqi team was completed until the beginning of the match with Japan.”

He added “I am proud of my players although some of them did not show enough efficiency during the match since preparing the team was not completed and the team played only one friendly match before the tournament.”

He stressed “The Japanese team is an organized team and has fine players.” For his part, the Japanese coach put the blame on the referee for the defeat. /End/