The Iraqi team won 1-0 against the Vietnamese team in the second qualifying round match for the 2026 World Cup at My Dinh Stadium on the evening of November 21.
Coach Jesus Casas' team controlled the match, creating many scoring opportunities. In the second half, Mr. Casas sent striker Mohanad Ali on the field, before the striker made his mark with a powerful header in the 97th minute, sealing Iraq's thrilling victory.
Iraq team affirms its class
Coach Jesus Casas is proud of his students
After the match, coach Jesus Casas shared: "The Vietnamese team is a quality team, I knew that before the match. However, against a quality opponent, the Iraqi team had some opportunities. I am happy that the two teams played with dedication, bringing a very good match. In particular, I am happy that striker Mohanad Ali has returned strongly after 2 years of injury with a goal in this match."
The Iraqi team's strategist also praised the Vietnamese team's ball control style of play as clear, coherent and well-intentioned.
"I think both the Vietnamese and Indonesian teams are very good. The Vietnamese team has a clear playing style, they want to control the ball, open up space to attack the flanks quite "smartly".
This is a positive thing to build a style of play in football. The 2026 World Cup qualifiers have just begun, it is a long journey, there are still many difficulties waiting for Iraq as well as the teams in the same group," Mr. Casas affirmed.
"Young Vietnamese players have good skills, this is a good thing. When they play well, it opens up a bright future for Vietnamese football, although it is not possible to compare or evaluate the performance of Vietnamese players with experienced players on the Iraqi side," coach Casas added.
Mohanad Ali, the striker who scored in the 7th minute of injury time, shared: "First of all, I am very happy that Iraq got 3 important points. With this goal, I am happy because it is my first goal for Iraq after 2 years of injury.
It was a difficult match. We had chances in the first half but did not score. In the second half, Iraq tried to raise their spirits and tried to find a goal. Fortunately, Iraq got all 3 points."
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