AFC Asian Qualifiers
Zidane Iqbal’s strike 14 minutes from time earned the Iraqis a narrow victory to set up the showdown between the West Asian sides while ending Indonesia’s hopes of a first FIFA World Cup appearance since the country’s independence in 1949.
#AsianQualifiers - Road To 26 Playoffs | Group B : Iraq 1-0 Indonesia
“Proud of the boys, the effort and the work they put in, but I do know we can do better,” said the Australian.
“We’ve achieved nothing yet. We’ve won one game and that’s good but the most important thing is recovery, to get good sleep and we get ourselves ready for Tuesday night.”
The Iraqis were second-best throughout the opening 45 minutes against an Indonesia side that needed at least a draw to maintain any chance of keeping their FIFA World Cup dream alive.
“We’ve achieved nothing yet. We’ve won one game and that’s good but the most important thing is recovery, to get good sleep and we get ourselves ready for Tuesday night.”
The Iraqis were second-best throughout the opening 45 minutes against an Indonesia side that needed at least a draw to maintain any chance of keeping their FIFA World Cup dream alive.
Arnold introduced Iqbal from the bench at the start of the second half and the Utrecht midfielder made the difference, netting with a fine finish from the edge of the penalty area that beat Maarten Paes to his left.
And while Zaid Tahseen’s red card deep into stoppage time ensured a nervous finish for Arnold and his team, the quest to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1986 remains on track.
“We wanted two, we wanted three but the red card was a little bit crazy and we had to finish the game with 10 men,” said Arnold. “The discipline of the players and the fight and the effort was fantastic.
“But I just want to say to all the Iraqi people and fans - don't celebrate yet, we’ve still got one more game to go.”
And while Zaid Tahseen’s red card deep into stoppage time ensured a nervous finish for Arnold and his team, the quest to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1986 remains on track.
“We wanted two, we wanted three but the red card was a little bit crazy and we had to finish the game with 10 men,” said Arnold. “The discipline of the players and the fight and the effort was fantastic.
“But I just want to say to all the Iraqi people and fans - don't celebrate yet, we’ve still got one more game to go.”
Indonesia coach Patrick Kluivert was left crestfallen by his side’s loss, their second in four days after a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia to leave the Southeast Asians bottom of Group B.
“I think if you look at the game we were by far the better team,” said the Dutchman. “I’m very disappointed about the result and not only me the whole country, the players, the staff.
“We worked hard, playing on the 8th against Saudi and then three days later, it was a great recovery to play another tough game.
“We performed fantastic today. I’m very proud of players who showed their heart, their courage but unfortunately the result again was not on our side while creating chances and playing very good football. With one action you lose the game. We are devastated. Again proud of the players. I'm very grateful to work with these guys.”
“I think if you look at the game we were by far the better team,” said the Dutchman. “I’m very disappointed about the result and not only me the whole country, the players, the staff.
“We worked hard, playing on the 8th against Saudi and then three days later, it was a great recovery to play another tough game.
“We performed fantastic today. I’m very proud of players who showed their heart, their courage but unfortunately the result again was not on our side while creating chances and playing very good football. With one action you lose the game. We are devastated. Again proud of the players. I'm very grateful to work with these guys.”
Related News
Item 1 of 5