Iraq U20 national team advanced to the final round after slashed Japan U20 national team by penalties shoot-out with a score of 5-3 after tie in 120 minutes 2-2 in the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2023 Semi-Final at JAR Stadium, Tashkent.
Japan will create a decisive opportunity from the start. In the 5th minute, Yokoyama Ayumu’s shot, which slipped through the center in response to a through pass by Abe Taiharu, went wide of the left side of the goal.
He kept the ball and took the initiative, but conceded a goal on a set piece. In the 12th minute, Ali Jassim headed in from a right CK to allow the opening goal.
Iraq, who took the lead and gained more momentum, increased the number of times they entered the box. In the 27th minute, Kodai Takai blocked a control shot from inside the penalty area with his head in front of the goal.
When attacking, they pass the ball at a good tempo in the attacking third to shake the opponent and close in on the opponent’s goal. However, the last pass did not connect as expected, and the first half ended with one point behind without scoring.
From the beginning of the second half, Kuo Matsuki, Takatora Naganaga, and Naoki Kumada were brought in at once. In the 50th minute, Matsuki jumped in in front of the goal on Nagacho’s floating pass from the right side. This is an offside decision.
Japan, who aimed for a quick attack after stealing the ball, struggled against the opponent’s quick pressing. Time continues when I can’t move forward as I want. Still, 83 minutes, the score is finally tied. Nagacho, who received the ball on the right side of the penalty area, cleverly dodged the opposing defender and threw a well-aimed control shot with his left foot into the net on the far side.
Japan caught up, but conceded a goal in the 103rd minute of the first half of extra time when the score was 1-1. Substitute Mohamed Jameel scored the winning goal, but in the 118th minute of the second half, Kumada scored his fifth goal of the tournament to level the score again. However, they lost 5-3 in the penalty shootout, ending up in the final four.
Credit Photo : AFC
