Yaser Kasim conceded luck played a part in his brilliant individual goal that earned Iraq a 1-0 win over Jordan in their Asian Cup opener in Brisbane on Monday.
Kasim's strike was the difference between the two teams as the 2007 champions grabbed a vital three points in front of 6850 fans, most of them cheering for Iraq.
Kasim broke the stalemate in the 77th minute when he collected the ball just outside the box and weaved his way through two defenders with a mazey run.
He found just enough space to squeeze out a shot, which took a wicked deflection off defender Tareq Khattab's foot and gave keeper Amer Shafi no chance.
"I'm a midfielder so I always look for the pass, but as I got into the box I had a good first touch and I was looking to go down the line," Kasim said.
"But he obviously showed me a bit too much on the inside and, I was going far post, but luckily it got a deflection," he added with a smile.
Jordan coach Ray Wilkins was left shaking his head in frustration.
"We've gone through a long period without any luck. (The) lucky goal today was very disappointing from my point of view," he said.
"We've put teams under difficulty when we've attacked, but we need a little bit of luck to go our way, we're not getting the rub of the green.
"We need it to go off someone's backside and fly in the net. That will kick-start I'm sure a good period for us."
It was the second international goal for the 23-year-old Kasim, who plies his trade in England with Swindon Town, and ensures Iraq are in the box seat to finish second in Group D after defending champions Japan thumped Palestine 4-0 earlier.
In a tight first-half little separated the two teams, who appeared to be more intent on not losing, rather than on winning.
Iraq's goal-scoring hero from their 2007 Asian Cup final win over Saudi Arabia, Younis Mahmoud, played as a lone forward and was heavily marked by Jordan's defence.
- Job done -
He had few opportunities to make an impact, however the best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to him when he found space in the box only for his shot to be blocked by a lunging Khattab.
The Iraqis came out firing after the break and dominated the second period.
"The Jordanian team were very strong, but our players did their job today and we have gained three points," said Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil.
Amjed Kalaf was especially dangerous down the right wing, his pace allowing him to get in behind the Jordanians.
But any attacking chances were quickly snuffed out by the scrambling defence.
Jordan were content to sit back and hit the Iraqis on the counter-attack, and it almost paid dividends when the impressive Oday Al Saify found space, but his shot was headed away for a corner.
But that was as close as the Jordanians got as they were forced to absorb wave after wave of Iraqi attacks and were lucky not to concede a second.
They were hampered even further when right back Anas Bani Yaseen was sent off in the 84th minute for a second yellow card.
Both teams play again on Friday, with Jordan travelling to Melbourne to take on Palestine and Iraq remaining in Brisbane, where they face Japan.
Source: AFP
