Top favorite Japan followed Iraq into the round of 16 in Group D of the Asian Cup. The Blue Samurai beat Indonesia 3-1 (1-0) at the end of the preliminary round of the tournament in Qatar on Wednesday (January 24, 2024) and thus took second place behind the group winners.
The match winner for the German World Cup scare was striker Ayase Ueda with his brace (6th, penalty kick and 52nd). Ritsu Doan from Freiburg did the preparatory work for the second goal. An own goal by Indonesian Justin Hübner (88th) after a Ueda shot and the consolation goal by Sandy Walsh (90th + 1) brought the final score.
Schedule and results arrow on the right
An early duel with South Korea is looming
In the knockout round, after the Japanese mistake against Iraq (1:2), there could be an early duel with co-favorites South Korea. National coach Jürgen Klinsmann’s team will play against Malaysia for first place in Group E on Thursday (12.30 p.m.).
Iraq also prevailed in the third game and defeated Vietnam by a score of 3:2 (0:1). The underdog played the entire second half outnumbered after a yellow-red card against Khuat Van Khang (45th + 4), but equalized in stoppage time after a missed penalty by the Iraqis. But Aymen Hussein converted his second penalty (90th + 12th) for a third success.