Iraq crowned new Asian Champions
Australian conquerors Iraq, are the new Asian Champions, after upsetting three-time winners Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Djakarta. Iraqi captain Younis Mahmoud scored the only goal with a little under 20 minutes remaining in the match.
The all-West Asia final was a stirring finale, with the determined Iraqi-s fending off everything that Saudi Arabia through at them.
The win was celebrated wildly around Iraq, giving their people something to celebrate in what has been a horrific time for the war-torn country.
Mahmoud-s winner in the 71st-minute, came when he powered his header home from a Hawar Mohammed corner. It was Mahmoud's fourth goal of the tournament and left him equal leading scorer in the tournament.
Iraq, who beat Australia 3-1 in the groups stages, has never previously made the final of the Asian Cup, and is a triumph for coach Jorvan Vieira, who only took over the embattled squad a month before the tournament began. Somehow he molded the different groups within the team together and propelled them to their greatest ever sporting achievement.
The first half was a physical affair, with Australian referee Mark Shield, handing out five yellow cards for some over-zealous tackles from both teams.
Iraq had the best chance of the first half, when the impressive Karrar Jassim brilliantly turned one defender, wriggled through another two with some sublime footwork, but his shot from an acute angle was saved by Saudi keeper Yaser Al Mosailem.
The frenetic pace in the second half, saw Saudi throw everything at Iraq, with keeper Noor Sabri making a spectacular flying save to deny a long range effort Taiseer Al Jassam.
But the breakthrough came when Hawar-s corner to the back post, was missed by Al Mosailem, who had come flying off his line and Mahmoud was left to power his header home.