END OF THE ROAD FOR BRAVE VIETNAM

A double from Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud in the 2nd and 64th minute allowed Iraq to make the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 1976.

The several changes to the starting line-up when Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl brought in Nguyen Anh Duc, Phung Cong Minh and Chau Phong Hoa failed to give Vietnam the edge when they allowed Younis to sneak in the first goal with a header from a Nashat Akram free-kick in the second minute.

Vietnam’s best chance in the first half was off Nguyen Vu Phong, but his strike just before the break saw Ahmad Abid Ali going in for the timely clearance.

Four minutes after the hour mark saw Younis grabbing his second of the evening with a superbly-taken free kick as he swerved the ball over the wall to the left.

Iraq’s opponent in the semi-finals will be in Kuala Lumpur where they will face the winner of the Iran/Korea Republic encounter which will be played tomorrow.