Thursday, March 28, 2024

Baghdad

Kadim scores stoppage time winner for Iraq

Iran (IraqiNews.com)-The Iraqi Striker Mohanad Ali Kadim buried a powerful header in the stoppage time as Iraq sealed a sensational 1-0 win over Korea Republic in the first Group B match played at the Mofateh Stadium on Tuesday within the Asian Football Confederation U 14 Championship held in Iran.

As the match was heading for a goalless draw after both the sides were locked in the regulation time of 60 minutes, lanky Kadim out-jumped all the Korean defenders at the center and connected a powerful header which bounced just before Korean goalie Jeong Seong-won and landed at the back of the net.

“I am finding difficult to describe how happy I was when we scored the winner so late,” ecstatic Iraq coach Saad Hashim told reporters.

“We knew that it was not going to be easy against Korea Republic but emerging as victorious against one of the contenders of the tournament is a good feeling.

“We should stay focus and work hard. I have worked with this team from last one year and now it’s up the player and show what they can do in the field.

Both the sides have opportunities but wayward finishes and good goalkeeping from both the goalies prevented the goals with only Kadim effort at the second minute of stoppage time ensuring the win for the Iraqis.

“Its’ very difficult to accept but we played well over the 60 minutes and were unfortunate to take nothing from this match,” Korea Republic coach Jeon Kyong-joon said after the match.

“At this level the boys get nervous because it’s the first time they are playing international tournament but I hope they learned a lot today and we still have two matches to go,” he added.

Iraq will face Tajikistan while Korea Republic take on Thailand on Thursday.

Both the matches will be played at the Mofateh Stadium. /End/

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