if we lose tomorrow Wilmots needs to go bye bye asap
-
-
https://www.afp.com/en/news/824/iraq...ch-doc-1m75tx7
Iraqis aim to rekindle protests with Iran football match
For Iraqis opposed to the Baghdad government and its sponsor Tehran, there is even more than football at stake when Iraq faces Iran in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday.
Anti-regime rallies at the epicentre of protests in the capital's Tahrir Square have faded in recent days, following a spree of arrests, threatening messages and killings of activists.
Hussein Diaa hopes that victory over Iran, in the match whose venue has been changed to neighbouring Jordan, could light a fire under the weeks-long protest movement.
"If our team beats Iran, it will bring more people out onto the streets and lift protesters' spirits," said the 24-year-old, kicking a football around in Tahrir.
Behind him stood Al-Jumhuriyah bridge, the main frontline between angry protesters and security forces using tear gas, live rounds and at times machine-gun fire.
"Our players have to give their all so we can hold our heads up high and confront Iran," said Diaa.
Demonstrators have criticised Iran for backing the very government they want to bring down, accusing Tehran of economic and political overreach in Iraq.
The two countries fought a 1980-1988 war and were rivals under Saddam Hussein, but the predominantly Shiite states have grown close since the dictator was ousted in the 2003 US-led invasion.
The ensuing years saw Iraq swept up in sectarian violence and a war against the Islamic State group, and FIFA banned international football matches on its territory.
The match between the two football-mad nations was to have been played in the southern port city of Basra.
But FIFA said it had assessed "the current security situation in Iraq" and informed the local federation that upcoming matches "must be played on neutral ground".
It accepted Iraq's proposal to change the venue to Amman.FIFA's decision came as a blow to Iraq after global football's governing body had only earlier this year finally lifted a three-decade ban on it hosting internationals for safety reasons.
- Solidarity in the stands -
For Ahmad al-Washa, Thursday's match couldn't come at a better time.
"Football is the best way to send a message to the whole world. We're betting on this match," said the activist.
Washa hoped it could be a way to attract international attention to the protests "so the United Nations can intervene and end the bloodshed".
Well over 300 people have died since protests erupted on October 1 and 12,000 people have been wounded, but rallies have continued in Baghdad and across the south.
And when the game gets underway, the "Lions of Mesopotamia" will have fans "not just in Amman, but all across Tahrir", said Washa.
Activists have erected a large screen to watch the match from 5:00 pm (1400 GMT), usually the time when crowds start to swell in the square.
They will be expecting solidarity from the large Iraqi diaspora in Jordan.
Some have already posted online to call on fans in the stadium to wear medical masks in solidarity with protesters confronted by tear gas back in Iraq.
Other activists have called for fans to stand up in the 25th minute and chant, "We want a country!" -- a key slogan of the protest movement and an ode to the day it was relaunched, October 25.
Sensing the encounter on the field could be heated, the head of Iraq's football federation has been trying to head off any skirmishes.
"No racist banners against the Iranian team, otherwise FIFA could punish us," he warned.
In more than a dozen showdowns between the national teams, Iran have won 11 times, with six wins for Iraq and two draws.
On Tahrir, Hussein Jawwad said the match could be a shot at a desperately-wanted win, both for the team and the protests.
"We've been targeting our leaders recently but on Thursday night, we'll be aiming for the Iranian football team in Amman," said the 25-year-old fan.
Summary of the story:
1) No Iraqi players should be purchasing Iranian laundry detergent.
2) Time to beat down some aroghis gheyrat styleLast edited by perspolis#1; 11-13-2019, 01:19 PM.Comment
-
If our TM have any gheyrat they won't let Iraqis talks soo much smack and play like its the world cup final and show them who the boss is..specially sardar since they keep attacking his insta page....just don't be such a bi gheyrat like the bahrain game..for god sake they boooed our national anthem and you let them win and played like crap against Bahrain??? come on! This is what Ali Daei and Ali Karimi had more than anyone...gheyrat....need some of that now.Comment
-
Iran will not lose tomorrow. Mark my words. It will most likely be a draw or we will beat them.
Sent from my MAR-LX3A using TapatalkComment
-
The Loss to Bahrain was an ettefagh
We took them lightly,
with a penalty gift Hosseni handed to them and playing in %90 humidity, we lost that match.
No way We would loose to Iraq tomorrow, no way.
We will win 2-1
Regarding Hong Kong vs Bahrain
Ok Bahrain is stronger but I promise you all they will not beat Hong Kong tomorrow.Comment
-
Honestly, Iran played a lot better than Bahrain, just a lack of finishing and one unfortunate play that led to a penalty shot against us.Comment
-
Yes you are absolutely right
That loss was an accidental slip that’s allComment
-
if we lose tomorrow, it's overOriginally posted by MR.ESTESNAII View Post“It is easier to fool the people, than to convince them they have been fooled." - Mark TwainComment
-
at the end of the day, no one cares if it is an "accidental loss" or not ..... teams have won or loss due to all kind of reasons. There is no difference between a team losing by 4-0 or 1-0 due to a mental or accidental mistake. Mental or accidental errors are part of the game, and the team that has DISCIPLINE and does not make these mistakes will win.Originally posted by sarbaz View Post“It is easier to fool the people, than to convince them they have been fooled." - Mark TwainComment
-
If we lose tomorrow, everyone will call for Willy's head. There will be expert commentary after commentary criticising his style of play and lack of coaching skills.
But if we win, the same people will praise Willy and call him the best coach in the history of Iran football.
That is how we are ...Comment
-
-
don't worry .... let's do what every football federation and fan base does and praise his style of play and coaching skill if he loses .....Originally posted by Kavian View Post“It is easier to fool the people, than to convince them they have been fooled." - Mark TwainComment
-
we must play hard today, is important gameComment
-
Suggestions for a good link?sigpicComment
-
I hope Marc’s 3-4-3 formation works out against Mohanad Ali .
This guy is their team’s version of Azmoun. We played him under Carlos and we covered him well. But this is a 3-4-3 formation and we need to be careful against this team.
We need to be physical, we need to be sharp, and we need to make wise decisions. Not emotionally reacting every second of the game.
Carlos did a great job with Team Melli when it came to calming their nerves. I remember a calm Iran vs Argentina and a frustrated Kun Aguero who took out the corner flag and slammed it. I remember a cool and calm Iran vs South Korea when Gucci scored. Dude with the Mohawk was trying to troll Amirhossein Sadeghi. Little did he know Sadeghi was trolling him and his whole team. I remember a calm and rational Iran vs Qatar, China, Uzbekistan, South Korea... The only time Iran lost its cool was in CQ’s last match vs Japan.
The point is, make sure your boys are MENTALLY PREPARED Mr. Wilmots. This isn’t an easy match and this team will be a pain in the ass. Make sure your boys have their heads straight. El Clásico of West Asia.Comment
Comment