Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Taipei: Iraq came from two goals down at half time to defeat China 4-2 in an entertaining and drama-filled Group C match to kick off their AFC Futsal Championships 2018 campaign.
Looking to exact revenge for their 6-1 loss to Iraq at the same stage of the competition two years ago, China started on the front foot and took the lead in just the sixth minute when Gu Haitao smashed home a left-footed effort from the edge of the area.
They doubled their lead five minutes later after a defensive blunder from the Iraqi goalkeeper. After a set play from a free kick, Li Jianjia’s shot could only be parried by Yahya Abdulnoor, falling into the path of Zhao Liang to tap home.
Iraq mounted attack after attack to finish the half, but China’s defence held firm ensuring they went to the half time break with their 2-0 lead intact.
It took only three minutes in the second half for Iraq to pull a goal back, albeit in fortunate circumstances. Salim Faisal’s long range effort had plenty of power, but was heading wide until it hit the body of Hasan Ali and deflected into the goal.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/iraq_v_china_pr.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/iraq_celebrate_-_fc2018.html
