Urgent – Iraq loses to Japan in AFC Asian Cup [01/16/2015]

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The Iraqi Team lost its match versus the Japanese counterpart (1-0) within the AFC Asian Cup 2015 in Australia.

Keisuke Honda converted a penalty and hit the woodwork three times as defending champion Japan edged Iraq 1-0 on Friday night to go top of the table in Group D and move a step closer to qualifying for the Asian Cup quarterfinals.

The AC Milan attacker converted from the spot in the 23rd minute after he was dragged down in the area amid challenges by Ali Adnan and Saad Abdulameer as he tried to regain possession after Shinji Kagawa’s close-range shot was blocked.

Honda hit the post with a header in the 17th, smashed a right-footed strike into the crossbar in the 47th and hit the post again from close range in the 65th.

Japan leads the group with six points, three clear of Iraq and Jordan. The four-time champions next play Jordan while Iraq will play Palestine. /End/