2019 goals for Iraqi football: Good run at the Asian Cup Solid start of our 2022 World Cup campaign Hopefully it will be a great year for our lions.
A second friendship tournament will be organized in Basra from 18 to 26 March. The invited countries are: Uzbekistan, Oman, UAE, Kuwait, Syria and Lebanon. Good move to prepare for the WCQ's!
Iraq FA committee hand out several punishments for events at the Asian Cup: Walid Salim and Ali Faez - 12 month ban from the NT for disciplinary reasons Ali Husni - 4 months ban from the NT for leaving the National team's camp without permission Ali Adnan - 6 months banfrom the NT for having his agent stay at the same hotel as the national team Mohammed Hameed, Mohaned Ali & Safaa Hadi given final warnings for conducting interviews during the asian cup without notifying the FA representatives. Further, the FA has chosen to sack Katenec's assistant coach, they want to sack his son Oskar as well, but Srečko Katanec would only accept this if the fitness coach Sardar Mohammed is also sacked. It's a circus.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=692916634456339 I don't want Faez and Walid around the NT anymore. They are bringing so much trouble. It started in the tournament itself. Faez bashed Katanec and his tactics after the Vietnam game..
I remember Faez criticizing Katanec's decisions after his own mistakes cost us 2 goals against Vietnam. Neither are good enough for the national team, and this has been clear for a while. I wouldn't be surprised if they are the players that were talked about in the media who were out getting drunk at nightclubs the night before the game against Qatar. Would make sense given they've been punished for "disciplinary reasons". Frans Putros and Alaa Mahawy are better RBs than Walid. And there are several CBs who can do better than Ali Faez for the team. They're mediocre on the pitch and disruptive off the pitch.
Reports that the FA is waiting till September to sack Katanec. That's the reason why they want to appoint a technical advisor to the team (Akram Salman / Rahim Hameed). One of them will take over for the WCQ's. I'm gonna stop following Iraqi football if this scenario happens.
We had a good game overall. We were really fluid in the attack. Created many chances and could've scored more goals. Our defence was shaky though. Natiq + Hameed the weak links. Dhurgham and Meram the standing out players.
Adnan Dirjal, Nashat Akram and @YounisMahmoud10 will be at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne this week as their case against the Iraq FA begins. If they win, Iraq FA elections could be annulled and re-run. pic.twitter.com/VamQHRVjNs— Hassanin Mubarak (@hassaninmubarak) May 27, 2019 CAS/TAS tribunal in Lausanne - Iraq FA's case not going well, contradicting evidence over an alternative page of the Iraq FA. Head of Communications Zeyad Hamid says it hasn't anything to do with the FA & FA's media spokesman Hussein Al-Khorsani says it has!— Hassanin Mubarak (@hassaninmubarak) May 31, 2019 Huge news guys.. Dirjal, Younis and Nashat have a strong case against the FA. If it all goes well there will be new FA elections and Abdul Khaliq Masood will be banned for fraud. We'll hear more in September!
Yes. So far an average performance from Iraq but this was expected after a long league and essential players missing. It would be a good achievement if we can win the title, and most importantly if we discover some good players. I like Bayesh and Maytham Jabbar.
Katanec is out. FA decided not to renew his contract after the 1-0 loss to Bahrain in the final yesterday. We're going nowhere guys. Another campaign wasted. I'm completely done with this shit.
After a huge public outcry about the controversial decision, the president quickly made a U-turn and they'll most likely renew the contract with Katanec. Other news: FIFA is going to announce their decision about the venues very soon. Reports suggest that they will give the green light to play in Basra
Going to see Qatar vs Iraq tomorrow.. saw a bunch of Iraqi players + Al Shorta club hanging around a hotel here in Doha. Obviously I know why Iraq is here, not sure about Al Shorta. Anyhoo, what type of team has Iraq sent - is this pretty much their first team?
Hi Glennaldo. Yes, this is the same team that played Iran and Bahrain in the WCQ's minus 3 expats (Bashar, Humam and Sulaka). Much needed tournament for Iraq, especially because our league is halted due to the demonstrations in the country.
Ahh... is that why I am seeing the Al Shorta team in my gym? Maybe they are here to do some training. Anyway, I've created a thread for this tournament here. Hopefully we can get some more followers,. Will post some updates from the stadiums from time to time, including today.... https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/2019-gulf-cup-of-nations.2107433/
Al-Shorta played the second leg of the Arab Cup in Doha, that's why. I don't think there is much activity at BigSoccer like a couple of years ago. Social media has taken over that role.
Congrats to Iraq for the win yesterday... makes this group interesting and the final group game between UAE + Qatar will certainly be tight. Iraq in a good position now. Anyway, didn't catch any of the goals and this guy right in front of my kept jumping up and standing... but her are some highlights of the opening ceremony + some limited action....
Thanks Glennaldo It was a good game for sure. I certainly didn't expect this result as Katanec played a youthful side. However, it's clear Iraq is improving rapidly and I think we can have a shot at a World Cup spot if we keep the stability. Next game will be interesting too.. UAE v Iraq.
Ugh Iraq won the game almost 3-0..... with the worst lineup possible... I did not expect win UAE because they almost won the gulf cup last year and the Iraq lineup was scary... but this was good win... now the good player can rest more. Hamid did great job too.