Shenaishil backs Iraq to repeat 2007 heroics
Canberra (IraqiNews.com) Iraq head coach Radhi Shenaishil believes his side are capable of replicating the feats of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup-winning team, with Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Palestine ensuring they will extend their continental campaign in the 2015 edition into the knockout stages.
The Group D runners-up will, however, face a daunting task when they come up against three-time champions and arch-rivals Iran in their quarter-final on Friday at Canberra Stadium.
If they beat Team Melli, though, Iraq will have a genuine tilt at the title, echoing memories of their historic run to Asia’s crown more than seven years ago, according to Shenaishil.
“I wish that the 2007 scenario occurs for the Iraq national team again and if we get a positive result against Iran and make it to the semi-final, I’m sure you will find Iraq in the final,” said the former Iraq defender. “Of course it is going to be a difficult match as there is a lot of history between us and Iran are a strong team. “As a player I’ve played a lot of matches against Iran, especially at the stage where the losing teams will leave the competition, so I’m sure we’re going to see a good game in Canberra on Friday.” Iraq’s precision in front of goal may well need to improve against Iran, though, after the Lions of Mesopotamia missed a glut of chances against Palestine, including a penalty on the hour mark that iconic striker Younus Mahmood saw saved by goalkeeper Tawfiq Abduhammad. “We will be training on penalties every day from now on,” added Shenaishil. “I selected Younus today because he only needs a couple of goals to become top goals scorer for Iraq. “But with the important matches coming now it’s a serious decision on who will be taking penalties.” And Samsung Player of the Match Saad Abdulameer admitted there had been moments of frustration for the forwards, although Mahmood eventually opened the scoring early in the second-half before Ahmed Yasin’s late second. “The coaching staff were working with us for a win and so we aimed for the three points tonight but sometimes, when you try so hard to score, you get in a situation when it becomes really difficult,” said the Erbil midfielder. “We’re happy today we won and we achieved this positive result. It’s something small we can give to our country.
He stressed “But now we forget about today’s match, close the page on it and think about the next match against Iran.” /End/