Late Adnan free-kick hands Iraq Asian Cup win over Vietnam

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Ali Adnan swept home a brilliant, last-minute free kick as former champions Iraq twice hit back to beat Vietnam 3-2 in the Asian Cup on Tuesday.

Vietnam’s Golden Dragons took a shock lead after 24 minutes in the Group D clash in Abu Dhabi, defender Ali Faez panicking under pressure from Nguyen Cong Phuong and clumsily backheeling the ball past ‘keeper Jalal Hassan Hachim.

Iraq, who defied the odds to win an emotional Asian Cup title in 2007, levelled 10 minutes later through striker Mohanad Ali, who profited from a defensive error to rifle home from the edge of the box.

Cong Phuong restored Vietnam’s lead three minutes before the break, stabbing in from close range after Nguyen Trong Huang’s shot had been parried by Hachim.

But Humam Tareq lashed home a second equaliser on the hour mark after more horror defending from the Vietnamese, who by that point looked to be running out of steam.

A lazy foul on the edge of the penalty area then presented Adnan with the chance to take all three points and he did not disappoint, curling a left-foot shot into the top corner to break Vietnamese hearts.

Iraq join Iran on three points after their bitter rivals thrashed Yemen 5-0 on Monday.