Sydney: Iraq view Monday’s Asian Cup semi-final with South Korea as a chance to deliver happiness to their compatriots at home in the crisis-hit country.
“It will not be an easy match, it will be a tough match, but we are working very hard to produce for our country,” Waleed Salim Al-Lami told a news conference Sunday.
“Our country needs the happiness, needs the win, so tomorrow we work together as players and coaching staff to the get the result for our people.”
Iraq shocked the football world when the war-torn country won the 2007 Asian Cup, defeating South Korea along the way in the semi-finals.
Coach Radhi Shenaishil said another appearance in the final eight years later would be just as big an achievement.
“Of course it would be a surprise, a team like Iraq with a small period of preparation, a hard time in our country, can’t play on home soil, players playing outside the country brought together for a short time to prepare, of course it’s a surprise,” he said.
“But the history of Iraqi football plays a big role in front of other teams, when they look at history of Iraq, others have a lot of respect for us.
“I think reaching the semi-final has produced a new generation and we can work together to produce something new for Iraqi football.”
Iraq were involved in a thrilling quarter-final with Iran, ranked as the strongest team in the continent, which ended 3-3 after extra time before Iraq prevailed 7-6 on penalties.
In that contest, midfielder Yaser Kasim collected a booking which has ruled him out of the semi-final.
And Shenaishil anticipates another challenge against a South Korea team yet to concede at the tournament.
“South Korea are one of the four best teams in Asia but we have gained lot of experience against the best teams,” he said.
“I think our players have played enough strong teams to be good at this stage in the competition and hopefully we can produce a good result for our country.”
