Hunting for Olympic soccer tickets is even more difficult than the World Cup, because Olympic men’s soccer only has 16 teams, while the World Cup has up to 32 teams and from the 2026 World Cup there will be up to 48 teams.
Calculating the U-23 Asian quarter-finals, U-23 Vietnam (VN) met Iraq is so lucky. As excellent as U-23 Indonesia (winning 1-0 against Australia and destroying Jordan 4-1) had to meet the “bogey man”, the candidate to win the Japanese tournament.
Mustafa Saadoun (17) contributed a goal in Iraq’s 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia. Photo: AFC
U-23 Iraq is a team with “hidden areas” that if Vietnam excels, coach Hoang Anh Tuan presents a reasonable position with good luck, it can completely win.
Firstly, Iraq’s play lacked stability. In their first match, they were defeated 2-0 by Thailand. Iraq is an open-playing team that scores a lot of goals and loses a lot of goals (lost to Thailand 0-2, won 4-2 to Tajikistan, won 2-1 to Saudi Arabia). If you play at a high tempo, with few touches and many long passes, the advantage may belong to Iraq. Iraq has many individuals who can make a difference in the match with goals and individual efforts.
Thailand carved into Iraq’s hidden corners with a zig-zag style of play and won 2-0. Photo: AFC
However, if Vietnam plays… hard, keeps the ball well, plays slowly, cuts off all excitement, does not allow Iraq to show off its forte of playing like a whirlwind, long passes, few touches, and quick coordination, it could cause trouble. suspicious of Iraq.
Iraq is very “reluctant” about playing small, short balls, keeping the ball, moving continuously, causing them to lose initiative, the way Thailand successfully demonstrated when winning 2-0.
But to do this perfectly, Vietnam must also have physical strength and endurance.
The outstanding faces of Iraq are Ali Jasim who is named in three team rosters (U-20, U-23 and national team), second is Mustafa Saadoun.
Star Ali Jasim has a fast dribbling speed, impressive quick maneuvering skills, an excellent way of “twisting” the opponent’s back, and very good aerial ability.
In 2022, at the U-20 Asian finals (Iraq reached the final and lost to host Uzbekistan), Ali Jasim was the star of the team scoring five goals. Jasim’s goals have a personal touch with quick solo ball plays along the flank.
In Group F of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Iraq was in the same group as Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Ali Jasim also contributed three goals, bringing Iraq officially into phase 3 after four wins.
Comparing Ali Jasim with a corresponding Vietnamese player, it is Khuat Van Khang in terms of influence and ability to break the deadlock. However, Jasim is still more powerful, sharper, and can make a difference for himself with goals.
Ali Jasim also performed very well for Iraq at the recent 2023 Asian Cup when he reached the quarterfinals and was defeated 3-2 by Jordan. At that tournament, Jasim was also an impressive “partner” with Iraqi goalscorer Aymen Hussein.
In terms of individuals, Vietnam is difficult compared to Iraq, but Iraq’s openness can help Vietnam break in. It is difficult for Vietnam to defeat Iraq, but it is not impossible.
If all the intentions of coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his team are correct, Vietnam may have a positive result.
