CHENGDU, China, 27 July 2004 — Iraq knocked Saudi Arabia out of the Asian Cup with a 2-1 victory over the three-time winners yesterday, a result that cost Saudi coach Gerard van der Lem his job.
Saudi Arabia, champions in 1984, 1988 and 1996, had never before been eliminated from the Asian Cup group stages.
Substitute Younis Mahmoud snatched a deserved 87th-minute winner to settle an ill-tempered match and ensure Iraq finished second in Group C behind Uzbekistan.
Iraq, who won twice and lost once in the first round, will face hosts China in Beijing on Friday while Uzbekistan face Group A runners-up Bahrain in Chengdu.
“There are no secrets between Iraq and Saudi Arabia,” said Iraq coach Adnan Hamd.
“It was a very difficult match because they are one of the strongest teams in Asia. China will be difficult too with all the Chinese support but we will fight hard.”
Midfielder Nashat Akram put Iraq in front with a clinical left-foot finish in the 51st minute of a bad-tempered encounter.
Defender Hamad Al Montashari gave Saudi Arabia a life-line six minutes later, arriving at the back post to head in a flick-on from Ibrahim Suwaid.
But Mahmoud pounced three minutes from time to give Iraq a deserved winner, sliding the ball into an empty net after Saudi goalkeeper Mansour Al-Naje had parried a shot from Qusay Munir.
Iraq finished on six points from three games after a 1-0 defeat by Uzbekistan and a 3-2 victory over Turkmenistan in their previous games.
Saudi Arabia finished bottom of the group with one point, below Turkmenistan on goals scored.
Uzbekistan, who beat Turkmenistan 1-0 in a clash of former Soviet republics, take on Group A runners-up Bahrain in Chengdu.
Uzbekistan left out seven first-team regulars after beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 on Thursday to become the first team to advance to the quarterfinals.
But they still had too much firepower for Turkmenistan and could afford to squander several chances before Mirdjalal Kasimov curled in an exquisite 58th-minute free kick to break the deadlock.
Uzbekistan advanced to the last eight with a perfect nine points, completing a remarkable turn-around after a disastrous campaign at the last Asian Cup four years ago.
They were easily the worst team in Lebanon when they were demolished 8-1 by eventual winners Japan and 5-0 by runners-up Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, there was more controversy off the pitch at a troubled competition in China.
South Korea coach Jo Bonfrere landed himself in hot water after refusing to attend a compulsory news conference on the eve of his team’s Group B clash with Kuwait and could now face disciplinary action.
