Iraq regains top spot after victory over Hong Kong

Sport‌‌ 10:04 AM - 2021-06-12

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The Iraqi National Football Team topped its group on Friday in the Asian qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after victory over Hong Kong with a 1-0 win.

 

Sports analysts, however, confirmed that despite victory over Hong Kong, the Iraqi Team's performance was not convincing, especially since the best players were on the field.

 

They added, "The national team, despite its superiority over Bahrain and Iran and the group's being on top, needs tactics in playing, especially as it awaits an important match against Iran."

 

On Friday, the Iranian national team defeated Cambodia by a very wide score with ten goals. 

 

Iraq are on 17 points, two ahead of Iran.

 

Hong Kong did well to keep Iraq at bay but a defensive mistake by Fung Hing Wa in clearing Mohammed Qasim’s long-range effort saw the ball settle in the back of the net to give the West Asians a fortunate lead.

 

Iraq kept the lion’s share of possession in the second half but couldn't find a way past the resilient Hong Kong defense but would have felt that they should have doubled their advantage through a corner kick near the hour mark but Ahmad Ibrahim failed to keep his header on target.

 

Neither side, however, was able to score in the remaining minutes as Iraq notched a win that takes them within touching distance of a place in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

 

 

 

PUKmedia