Iraq win after UAE mess-up

Defending champions Iraq are strong contenders for the knockout rounds.

DOHA: Reigning champions Iraq stunned the UAE 1-0 at the Asian Cup with an injury-time own-goal to put the defending champions in a strong position to make the knockout rounds. Iraq put themselves in a great spot to join their arch-rivals Iran after Walid Abbas turned the ball into his own net as the clock ticked down.

“It was in injury time and an own-goal so it’s a bit lucky at the end, but we fought all the time,” said Iraq’s German coach Wolfgang Sidka. “It was an exciting game and we had three strikers on at the end, and finally we got the reward.

“We will celebrate this win and immediately start preparing for North Korea. We know we have our fate in our hands.”

Srecko Katanec, the UAE’s Slovenian coach, cut a despondent figure afterwards. “We must look to win against Iran and pray Iraq lose to North Korea,” said Katenec. “We were better than Iraq, but that’s football.”

Katanec’s side twice hit the woodwork – as did Iraq – in a game that seemed to end in stalemate, until Abbas prodded the ball past his goal-keeper.

Meanwhile, Iraqi star midfielder Nashat Akram dedicated the win to his country. “I feel so proud because I love my country and I was able to help to bring some happiness to our people,” said the former FC Twente player.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2011.