Iraq secure last-16 spot in Asian Cup

ANKARA

Iraq on Friday qualified for the last 16 after beating Japan 2-1 in a 2023 Asian Cup group match.

Iraqi forward Aymen Hussein scored double in the first half against favorites Japan to reach the knockout stage in the tournament.

Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo scored near the end of the match in a Group D match in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Iraq have six points to lead Group D before the Vietnam game on Wednesday.

Second-place Japan and third-place Indonesia have three points each. Fourth in the group, Vietnam lost their two games.

In the next fixture, record holders Japan will play against Indonesia.

Host nation Qatar, Australia and Iraq have so far secured last-16 spots in the Asian Cup.

The top two teams in each group automatically qualify for the knockout stage with the four best third-placed teams also joining them.