Iraq’s youth team qualified for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup finals on Sunday after defeating Thailand 3-1 in the third round of Group 6 qualifying. The result sealed top spot in the group and sent Iraq through to the next stage after a strong finish to the campaign.
Moamel Malik opened the scoring in the 10th minute, before Os Ghazi added a second goal in the 19th. Malik struck again just before halftime to complete his brace and give Iraq a commanding lead. Thailand pulled one back in the second half, but Iraq held on to secure the win and confirm its place in the finals.
Iraq Finishes Top of Group 6
Strong Start and Clinical First Half
Iraq began the match with clear intent and quickly took control. Moamel Malik found the net in the 10th minute after converting a cross with a well-timed finish inside the Thai penalty area. Nine minutes later, Os Ghazi doubled the lead in the 19th minute, putting Iraq in a strong position early in the contest.
Malik then scored again in the 45th minute, netting his second goal of the match and Iraq’s third before halftime. The first half gave Iraq a comfortable cushion and set the tone for the decisive final result.
Thailand Pulls One Back, but Iraq Holds Firm
Thailand managed to reduce the deficit in the second half and enjoyed a spell of pressure, but Iraq remained disciplined and protected its lead until the final whistle. The 3-1 victory gave Iraq the group win and confirmed qualification to the AFC U-20 Asian Cup finals.
Ahmed Salah Praises the Team’s Performance
A Well-Deserved Qualification
Iraq U-20 coach Ahmed Salah said the team delivered a strong performance in the final match against Thailand and deservedly qualified for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup finals.
He said that the side may not have been lucky in the opening match, but it made up for that loss by beating the UAE in the second game and then producing a big performance against Thailand to finish top of the group.
Discipline and Tactical Commitment
Salah added that while the team defended deeply at many stages of the match, that was part of the tactical plan. He praised the players for their commitment from the first day of camp until the end of the qualification campaign.
His remarks reflected satisfaction with the team’s discipline, resilience, and ability to respond after the opening setback.
Moamel Malik Describes Team Effort
Promise Made After the Turkmenistan Match
Moamel Malik said that after the match against Turkmenistan, the players promised themselves and the technical staff that they would give everything they had and return to Baghdad with qualification secured.
He thanked all the players for their heroic performance in Sunday’s match and said his man-of-the-match award was the result of everyone’s effort and the coaching staff’s instructions.
A Collective Achievement
Malik’s comments highlighted the team’s collective spirit, with qualification framed not as the result of individual brilliance alone, but as the outcome of teamwork, discipline, and tactical execution across the full campaign.
Conclusion:
Iraq’s youth team has secured its place in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup finals after a 3-1 win over Thailand that lifted it to the top of Group 6. The victory capped a successful recovery from an opening setback and reflected a disciplined, determined campaign from Ahmed Salah’s side, which now heads into the finals with growing confidence.
