Match Report
The Australia U23’s were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Iraq after a gutsy showing in their second AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 group game.
Trevor Morgan’s side played over 75 minutes with ten men after a straight red card was shown to Kusini Yengi on 17 minutes.
However Australia soaked up the subsequent pressure and struck the game’s opening goal in spectacular fashion, as Alou Kuol lashed home a superb ‘scorpion kick’ finish on the stroke of half time.
Iraq squared the ledger ten minutes into the second period as Hasan Abdulkareem converted a well-struck volley which in the end would ensure both teams continued their unbeaten starts to the tournament.
Despite making four changes to the side that overcame Kuwait 2-0 on Matchday One, Australia started their second match at the Markaziy Stadium with a spring in their step.
Kusini Yengi was energetic early on, seeing a solo run and strike tapped into the post by Hasan Ahmed Assi Hussein inside the opening five minutes.
In the 10th minute, Ramy Najjarine found himself fed through on goal, but again Hussein stood tall to keep Australia at bay.
The game’s major turning point appeared five minutes later as Yengi was shown a yellow card for a high challenge, only for referee Riskullaev Akhrol to upgrade his decision to a dismissal following a VAR check.
Despite being a player down, Australia continued to push as Lachlan Brook threatened the Iraqi goal on a couple of occasions.
