Iraq look to cash in on World Cup reprieve
Sunday, 1 June 2008
BRISBANE, Australia, May 31(AFP): Asian champions Iraq put behind a week of distractions to try and keep their 2010 World Cup hopes alive against group leaders Australia here on Sunday.
The Iraqis, the pride of their troubled country after last year's first-ever victory in the Asian Cup, didn't even know they would be playing the Australians until FIFA reversed a decision to suspend them from competition over political interference from their government.
"Our team had a bad psychology before they came to Australia," Iraq Football Association president Hussein Saeed admitted.
"One week ago there was a problem between our Olympic committee and the government, but they have practised earnestly.
"We have four more (group) matches to qualify for the next stage of the World Cup and I think they will concentrate on the match and not on administrative matters."
Australia are unbeaten in the group after a 3-0 win over Qatar and a scoreless draw in China, while Iraq have just one point from their two outings.
A defeat for the Iraqis on Sunday is likely to kill off their hopes of advancing to the next qualifying stage.
The Iraqis, the pride of their troubled country after last year's first-ever victory in the Asian Cup, didn't even know they would be playing the Australians until FIFA reversed a decision to suspend them from competition over political interference from their government.
"Our team had a bad psychology before they came to Australia," Iraq Football Association president Hussein Saeed admitted.
"One week ago there was a problem between our Olympic committee and the government, but they have practised earnestly.
"We have four more (group) matches to qualify for the next stage of the World Cup and I think they will concentrate on the match and not on administrative matters."
Australia are unbeaten in the group after a 3-0 win over Qatar and a scoreless draw in China, while Iraq have just one point from their two outings.
A defeat for the Iraqis on Sunday is likely to kill off their hopes of advancing to the next qualifying stage.