AFC
Doha
Ali Jasim is confident that a more potent Iraq will emerge at the business end of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024.
Jasim’s strike from the penalty spot sealed Iraq a 1-0 win against Vietnam in the quarter-finals on Friday, with the exciting forward joining Abdullah Radif and Aiman Yahya of Saudi Arabia and South Korea’s Lee Young-jun at the top of the goalscorers’ chart on three goals.
However, the 20-year-old was well aware that his side squandered several opportunities against Vietnam but is confident the goals will soon flow, with Iraq to meet Japan in the semi-finals on Monday.
“Of course I’m happy to win the man of the match award, I would like to congratulate our fans and coach for the great job that we’ve been doing in this tournament,” said the Air Force Club player.
“I scored from the spot. I had many chances but luck wasn’t with me. All of us tried to score (more), but we couldn’t. We have to be more calm.”
Jasim knows the game against 2016 champions Japan will not be easy but with places in the final and Paris Olympics at stake, he said Iraq will rise to the challenge. “We are looking forward to playing against Japan. We know the Japanese are one of the strongest teams in Asia. I’m sure the players will do their best to make the fans happy.”
