Asian Qualifiers - WC 2010 [R]

[Suprah]

http://www.asianimage.co.uk/sport/la...d_and_adam.php

http://www.asianimage.co.uk/sport/la...qualifiers.php

[South Iraq]

Iraqi team preparing for the game against Pakistan.

[Ghormeh Sabzi]

^^^^ i wish them the best of luck and i hope they win.. and i hope iraq and iran will both be in WC10

[South Iraq]

^^^^ i wish them the best of luck and i hope they win.. and i hope iraq and iran will both be in WC10

Inshallah

[futbol>>>IRAN]

i like the two baldies basem and jasem they were key to Iraq's strong defence in the asian cup.

it would be great if Iran and Iraq both made to the world cup, but I am pesimistic about Iran's chances I dont think we will be there this time round!!

I think that out of the 5 powerhouses in Asia including Iraq Iran has the least chance!

[Pharaoh]

Inshallah

ameen. Hopefully no group of death for us again and we join you inshallah.

[Suprah]

What about us Asian punching bags ?

[Pharaoh]

What about us Asian punching bags ?

Well you can still fly out there with us

[Suprah]

http://www.asianimage.co.uk/sport/la...d_and_adam.php

Both Amjad Iqbal and Adam Karim are delighted after after being called up to the Pakistani national football squad.

For Amjad Iqbal the opportunity to play at International level was unmissable.

"I've become a little celebrity at my club because it's the first time they've had an international playing for them!"

Amjad was featured on these pages back in May after he captained his club into in the Blue Square Premier, England's unofficial fifth division. Since then the Bradford college Chemistry lecturer has continued to excell for his team. He thought it was a wind-up at first but when he started seeing his name and player profile on the footballpakistan.com website he realised it was genuine.

"It is tough sometimes trying to juggle a full-time job with a careeer in football. To go to Pakistan I've had to get three weeks off.

"I am looking forward to it and I think we've got a good chance. The Iraqi team are no push-overs but I think the group of established footballers we have might just cause an upset."

Although Amjad can play in almost any position and has done so for his club side he has yet to find out where he will be playing for Pakistan.

He has not been to Pakistan for 17 years so the whole experience will in many respects be new to him.




"The first thing I get asked is Will you be visiting the relatives?' Well, if I get the opportunity I'm sure we will. Just don't ask' Will you be getting married too?' he jokes.

Rochdale's Adam hopes for an upset.

Adam Karim at the age of 21 is the youngest of the trio to be picked to play for Pakistan.

He plays for Porthmadog in the Welsh Premier League and is looking forward to an opportunity of a lifetime.

"We have some good quality player in the side and I think we've got a good chance.

"I think by choosing players from across the world the PFA have shown they are looking to develop the team and are serious about football in the country."

"I know the Iraqis have shown they have a pretty decent squad but it should be interesting encounter."

As a teenager Adam of Rochdale was with Bury Football Club before moving on to play for Bangor, who are also in the Welsh Premier League. He has had to juggle a full-time job running one of the North West's busiest restaurants - Karim's "It is difficult at times to fulfill both committments but I love playing football. I have had to take time off work but my father has been accommodating."

Adam's manager at Porthmadog is none other former Manchester United star Clayton Blackmore.

"My club have been very supportive and the manager has said it is a great opportunity for me."

"I have not been told which position I will be playing in by the Pakistani management. Although I have played as a striker I prefer playing at centre-half."

http://www.asianimage.co.uk/sport/la...qualifiers.php

Adnan looking forward to qualifiers

Three footballers from the region will represent Pakistan as they take on Iraq later this month.

The first game takes place on October 22 in Lahore with the return leg being played in Syria on October 28.

Adnan Ahmed of Tranmere Rovers, Amjad Iqbal of Farsley Celtic and Adam Karim of Welsh premier league side Porthmadog FC will leave for Pakistan on October 14.

Adnan Ahmed who signed for Tranmere Rovers this season said it would be an honour to play for the country.

"I didn't have to think twice in an World cup Qualifier. It will be good experience for myself and for some the lads who are stepping up quite a few levels."

Pakistan has not yet qualified for either the FIFA World Cup or Asian Cup championships and face a stiff test agianst a vastly improved Iraq. The second leg of the game will be played in Syria because of the ongoing ocupation of the country.
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Adnan joins the likes of QPR's Zesh Rehman to be selected from the English top four divisions. Zesh made his debut in 2005 becoming the first Pakistani international footballer to play professional football in England.



"Obviously, my first choice would have been to play for England. I think that's the dream of every footballer born in this country.

"But, realistically, that was never going to happen,"

"My parents are from Pakistan though, so this is a great opportunity for me to play international football.

Adnan added, "For myself and for some of the new players it will be a totally different experience. All we can do is enjoy it and that is exactly what I'll be telling some of the other players.

"Tranmere have been very supportive of me.""Obviously, my first choice would have been to play for England. I think that's the dream of every footballer born in this country.

"But, realistically, that was never going to happen,"

"My parents are from Pakistan though, so this is a great opportunity for me to play international football.

Adnan added, "For myself and for some of the new players it will be a totally different experience. All we can do is enjoy it and that is exactly what I'll be telling some of the other players.

"Tranmere have been very supportive of me."

[Pharaoh]

Amjad Iqbal seems like a decent kid. What position do you think they'll end up playing him?

[Suprah]

Amjad Iqbal seems like a decent kid. What position do you think they'll end up playing him?

Probably as a defensive midfield player partnering Adnan Ahmed in the centre., allowing Adnan to move forward and stuff. That said Amjad has played as full-back as well as winger for his team and has popped in the goal or two.

If Zesh Rehman doesnt play for us, given QPR are in a shithole right now bottom of the table and just sacked their manager, as he is really worried about his future there (I personally called him about it) so lets say if the new manager -whenever and whoever is appointed - thinks he is part of his plans then Zesh wont probably come for the games as that would mean missing three games for QPR. In that case Amjad will probably partner Adam Karim in defence.

However, if Zesh is told that he isnt part of the new manager's plans for QPR, then he will immediately fly to Pakistan for these two games, as quite frankly - media and fan hype aside - he will be perhaps our key player against Iraq as he has some good leadership qualities and sees himself as a role model for other British Asian folks, being the first of his kind to play in the Premiership for Fulham as well as being an ex-England youth international from U14 to U20 levels before choosing Pakistan.

[Redfan]

good luck to iraq. I really really hope they make the WC..... but not over Iran (who will have major problems if we dont change shit around.)

I reckon getting dejagah will be significant.

[teammelli34]

good luck to iraq. I really really hope they make the WC..... but not over Iran (who will have major problems if we dont change shit around.)

I reckon getting dejagah will be significant.

i know man iraq deserves it.
i hope younis comes big again.
and going with iran...welll..i think they might make it, they can handle most asian teams without a good manager..
just itll be tough..

[IranSoccer#8]

W/ Ghotibias coach and Dejagah at striker, we can make into the second round of the Cup.

[South Iraq]

i like the two baldies basem and jasem they were key to Iraq's strong defence in the asian cup.
it would be great if Iran and Iraq both made to the world cup, but I am pesimistic about Iran's chances I dont think we will be there this time round!!
I think that out of the 5 powerhouses in Asia including Iraq Iran has the least chance!

Yea they were great.... Bassim is the Iraqi Roberto Carlos version and Jassim is the Iraqi Stam version

For some reason I think West Asia will have the upper hand in the coming WCQ compared to East Asia... Iraq, Iran, Saudi will be heavy weights and the Qataris and Omanis will be causing a lot of suprises... the Japanese, Koreans, and Aussies are now thinking twice about our region after the Asian Cup.