Iraq eye goals aplenty as quarters beckon
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Coach Radhi Shenaishil is looking to his forwards to help former champions Iraq secure a convincing win over Group D’s last-placed side Palestine on Tuesday, with goal difference a potential deciding factor in who will advance into the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 quarter-finals.
With Jordan and Iraq both on three points coming into the final round of group stage fixtures, a narrow victory against Palestine for Shenaishil’s side at Canberra Stadium might not be sufficient should Jordan come out on top in Tuesday’s tie against holders Japan in Melbourne.
Palestine lost both their AFC Asian Cup games so far by four goal margins – a 4-0 reverse to Japan and a 5-1 loss against Jordan – and 2007 winners Iraq will be looking for a similar scoreline to ensure a place in the knockout stages for a fifth consecutive tournament.
“Goal difference is important to us, especially for our forwards who will be working on this aspect,” said Shenaishil, who took over the head coach role on a temporary loan from club Qatar Sports Club in December.
“During our training sessions we’ve been working with our players to come up with a positive result for our players. If our forwards will be in the right position they will do their best.
“But it’s not basketball or handball where there are a lot of scores. Hopefully our players can be on target and we get a positive result.”
Iraq’s last tournament outing, in the 2014 Gulf Cup in November, saw a dismal campaign end at the group stage with a first round elimination costing former coach Hakeem Shakir his position.
However, defender Ahmed Ibrahim believes that his side is a different prospect now than the one who performed so disappointingly in Saudi Arabia at the regional championship.
“Now we have a new coaching staff, new players in the team, and we are working together in a system that fits the Iraq team,” said the 22-year-old, who plays his club football in the United Arab Emirates.
“We are one of the only teams that don’t play on home soil. We have players play in Iraq, Europe and different countries so it’s hard to bring the players together.
“We respect the Palestine team. They are going through a bad situation in their country and their team is not stabilised but that doesn’t mean we don’t respect them. They are a strong team.
“Hopefully we can produce something to make our fans and people back home happy.”
One player who will not be participating, though, is forward Alaa Abdul Zahra who is suspended following two yellow cards picked up in the group stage./End/