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Iraq beat off South Korea through penalty shootout |
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08:22, July 26, 2007 |
Iraq, who could not beat South Korea in 23 years, broke the jinx with a 4-3 win through penalty shootout here on Wednesday to reach the Asian Cup final for the first time ever.
This was by far the best performance of Iraq in Asian Cup history. Their last good result from the competition was back to 1976 when Iraq finished fourth.
The two sides played a balanced game in the first half though the Iraqi team was more menacing.
South Korea took advantage after the interval but their forwards missed several good opportunities. Iraq also created some chances but failed to score either.
After a 0-0 tie in regular time, the two sides went into extra time in which Iraq controlled the game with Hawar Mohammed almost sealed victory when his close range shot was denied by the goalpost.
Iraq's Noor Sabri Abbas became the hero of the war-torn country as he saved the shot of South Korea forward Yeom Ki-hun in the penalty shootout.
Under enormous pressure, South Korea's Kim Jung-woo kicked his penalty to the goalpost.
Source: Xinhua
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