This AFC Asian Cup match between Iraq and Japan was a riveting encounter, with Iraq coming out on top, with a 2-1 victory over Japan. However, the statistics reveal that the game was far more nuanced than what the scoreline suggests.

Japan dominated the game in terms of corner kicks, with 13 in comparison to Iraq's solitary one. This dominance in set pieces suggests that Japan had more attacking opportunities but they weren't successful in converting those attacks into goals.

The home team, Iraq, despite having fewer attacking opportunities, were more efficient in capitalizing on their limited chances. They scored their two goals in the first half within the first 48 minutes, which set up a challenging task for the Japanese side to bounce back.

Comparatively, Japan found itself on the back foot early in the match and despite scoring a goal in the second half, they fell short of leveling the game. A moment of pressing concern for Japan was their 36th-minute yellow card, which may have disrupted their momentum.

The offside statistics could offer some insights into the attacking strategies of both teams. Iraq was caught offside three times, which suggests an aggressive approach characterized by high risk-high reward long passes or clever runs behind the defensive line. Japan, with 2 offsides, also tried to penetrate Iraq’s defence using similar tactics, but perhaps with a bit more caution.

In terms of discipline, both teams remained on par, with each side receiving a yellow card and no red cards issued throughout the match. These figures signify a relatively clean game from both sides, keeping the primary focus on football rather than rough duels.

The statistical breakdown of this match points towards a tale of efficiency over sheer dominance. While Japan pressed hard, earning more corner kicks, Iraq managed to protect their lead efficiently after scoring two early goals.

This analysis emphasizes that the outcome of a match is not always reflective of the performance as per the standard metrics, and underlines the importance of conversion rates and defensive solidity which Iraq demonstrated in this game, ultimately leading to their victory.

Remember, understanding these factors and nuances can give a unique edge to a sports bettor. The most successful bettors don't just look at the scoreline but delve deeper into the analysis for their next betting move, similar to how Iraq focused on efficiency over sheer dominance in this match.

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