Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira was almost lost for words after his side qualified for their first-ever Asian Cup final with a penalty shootout victory over South Korea.
The Brazilian's team downed the two-time champions 4-3 on penalties after 120 scoreless minutes, with goalkeeper Noor Sabri saving from Yeom Ki-hun before Kim Jung-woo hit the post to end South Korea's hopes of their first title in 47 years.
"Everyone is happy and we have reason to be happy because this victory brings us to the final and we deserved that," said the Brazilian, who has been in charge of the Iraq team for less than two months. "My boys have worked very hard."
Iraq's best performance at the Asian Cup before this tournament was reaching the quarter-finals, which they managed on each of the last three occasions, losing to China three years ago, to Japan in 2000 and the United Arab Emirates in 1996.
All three of those opponents went on to reach the final, with Japan winning the title in Lebanon in 2000.
Now, though, it is the Iraqis who are into the decider and while they went through thanks to the shootout, they could have earned their spot in the final much earlier.
Hawar Mulla Mohammed hit the post in the final minute of the first period of extra time before Kim Jin-kyu cleared the ball off the line as the Iraqis created the better of the goalscoring opportunities.
The South Koreans, in contrast, threatened little with long-range efforts from the likes of Lee Chun-soo and Yeom the closest Pim Verbeek's side came to registering a goal.
"Korea is a very strong team, with very fast players and we had to take care," said Vieira. "We were able to neutralise Korea well and we missed some opportunities.
"We missed more opportunities than Korea, especially in the second half and in extra time. The Koreans were down on fitness. We were tired too but we were better on the fitness side and it's a game that will never be forgotten, especially by us."
Vieira's team will now face either Saudi Arabia or Japan in the final as the Iraqis seek a result that would surpass the nation's finest achievements, which include reaching the semi-finals of the Olympic Games in 2004 and winning three Gulf Cup titles.
"We are in the final now, we are still here and you have to support us for one more game," said Vieira. "I'm very happy.
"It's difficult to say what I think at this moment."
"Everyone is happy and we have reason to be happy because this victory brings us to the final and we deserved that," said the Brazilian, who has been in charge of the Iraq team for less than two months. "My boys have worked very hard."
Iraq's best performance at the Asian Cup before this tournament was reaching the quarter-finals, which they managed on each of the last three occasions, losing to China three years ago, to Japan in 2000 and the United Arab Emirates in 1996.
All three of those opponents went on to reach the final, with Japan winning the title in Lebanon in 2000.
Now, though, it is the Iraqis who are into the decider and while they went through thanks to the shootout, they could have earned their spot in the final much earlier.
Hawar Mulla Mohammed hit the post in the final minute of the first period of extra time before Kim Jin-kyu cleared the ball off the line as the Iraqis created the better of the goalscoring opportunities.
The South Koreans, in contrast, threatened little with long-range efforts from the likes of Lee Chun-soo and Yeom the closest Pim Verbeek's side came to registering a goal.
"Korea is a very strong team, with very fast players and we had to take care," said Vieira. "We were able to neutralise Korea well and we missed some opportunities.
"We missed more opportunities than Korea, especially in the second half and in extra time. The Koreans were down on fitness. We were tired too but we were better on the fitness side and it's a game that will never be forgotten, especially by us."
Vieira's team will now face either Saudi Arabia or Japan in the final as the Iraqis seek a result that would surpass the nation's finest achievements, which include reaching the semi-finals of the Olympic Games in 2004 and winning three Gulf Cup titles.
"We are in the final now, we are still here and you have to support us for one more game," said Vieira. "I'm very happy.
"It's difficult to say what I think at this moment."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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