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Japan Beaten By Iraq At AFC Asian Cup Despite Goal From Liverpool's Wataru Endo

Iraq beat Japan 2-1 to seal a place in the round of 16 at the AFC Asian Cup. Aymen Hussein scored two goals for Iraq. Wataru Endo netted a late goal for Japan.

Robert Summerscales

Japan Beaten By Iraq At AFC Asian Cup Despite Goal From Liverpool's Wataru Endo
Japan Beaten By Iraq At AFC Asian Cup Despite Goal From Liverpool's Wataru Endo /

Iraq beat Japan for the first time in 42 years on Friday to seal a place in the round of 16 at the AFC Asian Cup.

Aymen Hussein scored two headed goals to fire Iraq into a 2-0 lead before half-time.

Hussein has now scored 20 goals in 71 international games for Iraq.

Japan pulled a goal back late in the second half when Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo headed home to score his first international goal since 2021.

But Iraq held on to record their second victory in as many games at this year's tournament.

Aymen Hussein pictured celebrating after scoring two goals for Iraq in a 2-1 win over Japan at the AFC Asian Cup in January 2024
Aymen Hussein scored two goals for Iraq in a 2-1 win over Japan at the AFC Asian Cup on Friday :: IMAGO/VCG

Iraq beat Indonesia 3-1 in their Group D opener on Monday. Japan had earlier kicked off with a 4-2 win over Vietnam.

Iraq will now face Vietnam next Wednesday. That game will take place at the same time as Japan's clash with Indonesia.

Japan have won the AFC Asian Cup four times - in 1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011.

Iraq were the champions in 2007.

Highlights: Iraq 2-1 Japan

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Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.