Doha, Qatar: With both teams at the bottom of Group C table, Iraq will face an equally optimistic Tajikistan side, who despite suffering a 4-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, showcased tremendous improvement from their first appearance two years ago.
Iraqi head coach Radhi Shenaishil is focused on leveraging the team's extensive preparation to inspire a turnaround, while Tajik head coach Mubin Ergashev promised driven and focused players, with the Central Asian side chasing their first ever points.
Stay tuned as we bring you match highlights and a glimpse of the football atmosphere at the venue!
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⚽ Match Ends!
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) April 19, 2024
⏱️90+12'
???????? Tajikistan 2 - 4 Iraq ????????
The Lions of Mesopotamia secure their first victory, keeping their #AsianCupU23 goal alive!
⚽ LIVE MATCH: https://t.co/livAzMYy42#Qatar #AFCU23 #TJKvIRQ #Tajikistan #Iraq pic.twitter.com/05xmOTNxSm
90+12' Second half ends
90+11' Karrar Saad (Iraq U23) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90+11' Foul by Shuhrat Elmurodov (Tajikistan U23).
90+9' Fakhriddin Akhtamov (Tajikistan U23) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90+9' Karrar Saad (Iraq U23) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90+9' Foul by Fakhriddin Akhtamov (Tajikistan U23).
90+7' Zaid Tahseen (Iraq U23) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90+7' Foul by Mehron Madaminov (Tajikistan U23).
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⚽ GOAL!
⚽ GOAL!
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) April 19, 2024
⏱️90+5'
???????? Tajikistan 2 - 4 Iraq ????????
Mehron Madaminov gets a second one in stoppage time, with his right footed shot from the right side of the box!
⚽ LIVE MATCH: https://t.co/livAzMYy42#Qatar #AFCU23 #AsianCupU23 #TJKvIRQ #Tajikistan #Iraq pic.twitter.com/Jg4Y3Kx7L8
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90+5' Attempt saved. Rustam Soirov (Tajikistan U23) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Azizbek Khaitov.
90+3' Ahmed Maknazi (Iraq U23) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90+3' Foul by Manuchehr Safarov (Tajikistan U23).
90+1' Mustafa Saadoun (Iraq U23) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90+1' Foul by Amadoni Kamolov (Tajikistan U23).
90' Delay over. They are ready to continue.
90' Substitution, Iraq U23. Roman Doulashi replaces Josef Al Imam because of an injury.
89' Delay in match because of an injury Josef Al Imam (Iraq U23).
88' Substitution, Tajikistan U23. Mehron Madaminov replaces Shahrom Samiev.
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⚽ GOAL!
⏱️87'
Tajikistan 1 - 4 Iraq
Karrar Saad left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ali Jasim.
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86' Corner, Tajikistan U23. Conceded by Muntadher Mohammed.
86' Josef Al Imam (Iraq U23) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86' Foul by Rahmatshoh Rahmatzoda (Tajikistan U23).
77 'Delay over. They are ready to continue.
77' Substitution, Iraq U23. Zaid Ismael replaces Hassan Khaled Hameed because of an injury.
75' Delay in match because of an injury Muntadher Mohammed (Iraq U23).
74' Attempt missed. Karrar Saad (Iraq U23) left footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the left.
73' Corner, Tajikistan U23. Conceded by Mustafa Saadoun.
73' Attempt blocked. Azizbek Khaitov (Tajikistan U23) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Amadoni Kamolov.
66' Salem Ahmed (Iraq U23) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
66' Foul by Haidar Sattorov (Tajikistan U23).
65' Substitution, Iraq U23. Karrar Saad replaces Amin Al Hamawi.
64' Substitution, Iraq U23. Salem Ahmed replaces Ali Al Mosawe.
64' Corner, Tajikistan U23. Conceded by Mustafa Saadoun.
62' Corner, Iraq U23. Conceded by Ruslan Khailoev.
61' Foul by Amin Al Hamawi (Iraq U23).
61' Shuhrat Elmurodov (Tajikistan U23) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
59' Ali Al Mosawe (Iraq U23) wins a free kick on the right wing.
59' Foul by Amadoni Kamolov (Tajikistan U23).
59' Corner, Tajikistan U23. Conceded by Karrar Mohammed Ali.
57' Corner, Tajikistan U23. Conceded by Hassan Khaled Hameed.
57' Attempt blocked. Ruslan Khailoev (Tajikistan U23) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Rustam Soirov.
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⚽ GOAL!
⏱️56'
Hassan Khaled Hameed extends the lead for Iraq! Hameed's right footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Amin Al Hamawi.
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53' Attempt blocked. Rustam Soirov (Tajikistan U23) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is blocked. Assisted by Abdullo Sharipov.
52' Attempt saved. Shahrom Samiev (Tajikistan U23) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Abdullo Sharipov.
49' Foul by Josef Al Imam (Iraq U23).
49' Shahrom Samiev (Tajikistan U23) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
48' Muntadher Mohammed (Iraq U23) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
48' Foul by Shuhrat Elmurodov (Tajikistan U23).
Second half begins!
45' Substitution, Iraq U23. Hassan Khaled Hameed replaces Muntadher Abdulameer.
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HALF TIME
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) April 19, 2024
⏱️45+12'
High intensity from both sides, but Iraq takes the lead as we go into the half-time break!
⚽ https://t.co/livAzMYy42#Qatar #AFCU23 #AsianCupU23 #TJKvIRQ #Tajikistan #Iraq pic.twitter.com/e6szap3rPs
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45+12' Foul by Karrar Mohammed Ali (Iraq U23).
45+12' Rustam Soirov (Tajikistan U23) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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⚽ GOAL!
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) April 19, 2024
45+9'
???????? Tajikistan 1 - 2 Iraq ????????
Rustam Soirov hit back for Tajikistan! Soirov converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
⚽https://t.co/livAzMYy42#Qatar #AFCU23 #AsianCupU23 #TJKvIRQ #Tajikistan #Iraq pic.twitter.com/jqpvfdKSE0
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45+6 'VAR Checking: Tajikistan U23 Penalty.
45+3' Muntadher Mohammed (Iraq U23) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
45+3' Foul by Muntadher Mohammed (Iraq U23).
45+3' Amadoni Kamolov (Tajikistan U23) wins a free kick on the left wing.
45+2' Corner, Iraq U23. Conceded by Fakhriddin Akhtamov.
43' Attempt blocked. Shuhrat Elmurodov (Tajikistan U23) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
42' Attempt saved. Rustam Soirov (Tajikistan U23) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Amadoni Kamolov with a cross.
41' Delay over. They are ready to continue.
40' Delay in match because of an injury Muntadher Abdulameer (Iraq U23).
40' Foul by Muntadher Abdulameer (Iraq U23).
40' Foul by Abdullo Sharipov (Tajikistan U23).
38' Substitution, Tajikistan U23. Abdullo Sharipov replaces Tohirjon Taghoizoda.
36' Foul by Karrar Mohammed Ali (Iraq U23).
36' Amadoni Kamolov (Tajikistan U23) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
35' Attempt missed. Shahrom Samiev (Tajikistan U23) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Ruslan Khailoev with a cross following a corner.
33' Foul by Ahmed Maknazi (Iraq U23).
33' Ruslan Khailoev (Tajikistan U23) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
33' Attempt missed. Amin Al Hamawi (Iraq U23) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right.
30' Muntadher Mohammed (Iraq U23) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
30' Foul by Rahmatshoh Rahmatzoda (Tajikistan U23).
26' Offside, Tajikistan U23. Fakhriddin Akhtamov is caught offside.
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⚽ GOAL!
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) April 19, 2024
⏱️ 22'
???????? Tajikistan 0 - 2 Iraq ????????
Two for Iraq! Ali Jasim converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.#Qatar #AFCU23 #AsianCupU23 #TJKvIRQ #Tajikistan #Iraq pic.twitter.com/F3pQzkmOKb
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21' Penalty Iraq U23. Ali Jasim draws a foul in the penalty area.
21' Penalty conceded by Manuchehr Safarov (Tajikistan U23) after a foul in the penalty area.
19' Ahmed Maknazi (Iraq U23) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
19' Foul by Shuhrat Elmurodov (Tajikistan U23).
17' Corner, Iraq U23. Conceded by Manuchehr Safarov.
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⚽ GOAL!
⏱️ 14'
First goal! Muntadher Mohammed gives Iraq the lead! Muntadher Mohammed left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ali Jasim.
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Match kicks off!
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???? LINE UPS | ???????? Tajikistan ???? Iraq ????????
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) April 19, 2024
A must-win match for both sides!
Which side will secure the all-important 3️⃣ points? ????
???? Watch Live https://t.co/pJcxzDRY9s#AFCU23 | #TJKvIRQ pic.twitter.com/lCOw9CWJIL
