Iraq boss defends ref, slams Iran after Asian Cup win

[OFFSIDE_1]

Iraq boss defends ref, slams Iran after Asian Cup win
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/iraq-bo...3520--sow.html
"Canberra (AFP) - Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil leapt to the defence of embattled referee Ben Williams and slammed Iran boss Carlos Queiroz after temperatures rose in their Asian Cup thriller on Friday.
Shenaishil, speaking after Iraq's 7-6 win on penalties, said Iran spent much of the quarter-final trying to pressure the officials and blamed them for causing an ugly atmosphere.
Queiroz was incensed after Australia's Williams sent off Mehrdad Pooladi for simulation, his second bookable offence, just before half-time.
Iran were leading 1-0 at the time but arch-rivals Iraq equalised and it finished 3-3 after extra time before the 2007 champions won a marathon shoot-out.
"I think Iran's focus after getting the red card was to put pressure on the fourth official to show a red card to one of our players," said Shenaishil.
"They concentrated on that which was wrong. They should concentrate on the match. The referee gave all the yellow cards at the right times tonight," he added.
Williams dished out 10 yellow cards altogether in a stormy encounter. Queiroz, fined earlier in the tournament for criticising Williams, again lashed out at the official.
Tempers flared at times with substitutes from both teams encroaching on the pitch following all four goals in extra time.
Shenaishil was particularly upset about a shoving match when Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi went down hurt just before the end of extra-time.
"I have all the respect for the Iranian team, they're a strong side. But I think they were under pressure. The pressure came from the coaching staff on their bench which was wrong," he said.
"They scored, were leading 1-0 and they should have been a bit more relaxed. Their substitutes entered the field. This gives a bad reputation for the competition so they should look into these things more," he added.
Shenaishil said his main priority was now the full recovery of his players in time for Monday's semi-final against South Korea.
"We respect South Korea, they're not an easy team. It will be a tough game, he said." "



I hope the Koreans send this team back to baghdad

[eerooni]

[Rumez]

He is right that the coaching staff tried to pressure the officials!
Of course when they have a track record of unreasonable cards against your players, you'd want to confront them and ask for justice and fairness!

[Afat11]

I hope the Arabs will stick that plaque up their asses.

[Team Melli Fan]

goh khorde

[teammelli91]

2 things I ask for Norouz this year:

1) Please don't allow Benjamin Williams to EVER officiate again.

2) Please give us Iraq in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, I beg of you lord.

[khodam]

He us just ducking up hoping for pitty.

[Spyder]

I hate to say it but Iranian players grass rolled a fair bit through the tournament but this is soccer so maybe its part of the 'strategy'. 99% chance Iraq played their final against TM yday and Korea will beat them.

Also I dont think beating up on the ref or Pooladi is the solution here (although really I wouldve given him a yellow as well and I like the guy!) Mistakes are made. Its sport. The theater of sport is amazing. Over over the world stuff like this happens in every code so lets just keep a level head.

My only issue with all this is TM blew a golden opportunity to get some silverware and its going to be many many manyyyyy years until TM will get the opportunity to claim an international title again. China, Australia, Korea and Japan are getting stronger and stronger and then theres Iraq and UAE which showed great performances. Asia is getting tougher and its going to be mighty difficult to get back from this. Its a long wait too! Players will be gutted and the emotional affects of this game will haunt TM for decades to come. This game was the worst defeat TM has faced since the Bahrain incident many years ago.