Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Changshu: Iraq cruised to a 4-1 win over Malaysia on Wednesday as Abdulghani Shahad’s side put on a commanding performance to kick off their 2018 AFC U-23 Championship campaign.
Mohammed Jaffal, Amjed Attwan, Alaa Mwahi and Hussain Ali all found the back of the net for the Iraqis as the inaugural champions made a flying start to life in Group C of this year’s competition.
The clock had barely clicked past the five-minute mark when the Iraqis took the lead, Hamzah Adnan’s pace taking him beyond the Malaysian defence before he cut back a lofted ball that Jaffal headed firmly home.
Malaysia sought to steady themselves after the early set-back and Ong Kim Swee’s side slowly gained a foothold but, by the 28th minute, their good work was undone as Iraq doubled their advantage.
The Southeast Asian side’s defence failed to adequately clear Jaffal’s free-kick into the area and Attwan surged past the defence before unleashing a low shot that slipped beyond the grasp of goalkeeper Ifwat Akmal.
By now Iraq were in complete control, even as the Malaysians made the occasional foray into their opponents’ territory. Safawi Rashid’s long range free-kick did little to trouble Ahmed Basil while Jafri Chew’s attempt from inside the area was blocked by the Iraq defence.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/iraqu23_goals.html
