Australia will face either Japan or Islamic Republic of Iran in the semi-finals with the win also sealing their spot at the FIFA U20 World Cup Chile 2025, having last appeared at the global stage in 2013.
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Iraq were more threatening at the start, with Mustafa Nawaf teeing up Amoori Faisal in the centre of the box, only for the Al Kahrabaa midfielder to see his shot deflected for a corner.
The West Asian side’s pressure led to the opening goal in the 15th minute after Faisal weaved his way through the centre before unleashing a curling effort past rooted Australia keeper Stevan Hall and into the top right corner.
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Australia regrouped and restored parity in the 22nd minute after Luka Jovanovic struck a dipping free-kick effort which slipped past the gloves of Iraq custodian Wisam Ali and into the bottom left corner.
Smart attacking moves left the door open for Australia’s Musa Toure, but the midfielder failed to get past the offside trap on two occasions, which ultimately proved costly as Iraq regained the lead in the 26th minute.
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Layth Mahmood played a delightful ball through for Mustafa Qabeel, who strode into the box, shrugged off his marker before squeezing the ball past Hall.
Q-final: Australia v Iraq
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Iraq could have extended their lead in the 52nd minute after Faisal advanced into the box before cutting the ball back for Karrar Jaafar, whose volleyed effort was foiled by Australia’s Paul Okon.
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Toure wasted a clear-cut header in the 58th minute before Australia levelled the tie for the second time four minutes later when Iraq failed to clear Okon’s cross into the box, leaving Alexander Badolato to set up Panagiotis Kikianis for a curling right-footed finish.
Iraq brought out the best from Hall in the 72nd minute when the shotstopper palmed away Muslim Mousa’s header from inside the box, with Australia then taking the lead two minutes later.
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A poor headed clearance from Mousa saw the ball landing kindly for Badolato, who struck home a thunderous shot from just outside the box to leave Iraq stunned and take Australia to within two matches of lifting the coveted title for the first time.
