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.
It was a heart-breaking way for Vietnam to lose in Abu Dhabi, but no more than Iraq deserved for going for the jugular after Humam Tareq had hauled them level on the hour mark.
"The first half was horrible," said Iraq coach Srecko Katanec.
"We showed nothing that we did in training -- no power, no personality at all. Maybe it was first-game emotions, the players felt the pressure a little bit."
"But the most important thing was the three points."
- Lazy foul -
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"But I have a clearer picture now of our overall condition and we will grow into the tournament."
"At the end they were exhausted and lost a bit of concentration but we were a little unlucky too."