Iraq to put emotions aside against Iran

AFC Asian Cup – CANBERRA, Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil urged his side to put feelings to one side and concentrate on providing an exciting spectacle when they take on arch-rivals Iran in a hotly anticipated AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 quarter-final showdown between the two former champions on Friday.

The 2007 champions ensured their place in the knockout stage as Group D runners-up with a 2-0 victory over Palestine on Tuesday in Australia’s capital, but Shenaishil and his charges must now pass a tough test against three-time winners and Group C toppers Iran when they return to Canberra Stadium with an AFC Asian Cup semi-final place at stake.

Neighbouring countries and firm footballing foes, Iran have the edge over Iraq in past encounters with six wins in their previous seven meetings. And with respective fan bases that have proved to be amongst the most colourful and passionate the tournament has seen, the Iraq coach is relying on the players to keep their composure.

“Both teams, Iran and Iraq, will be telling their players to have a quality match and forget emotions,” said former Iraq international Shenaishil.

“There’s history between the two teams and Iran have similar football school as Iraq, a same style of football. I played in 1993 when we beat Iran 2-1. They are a very good team especially in the early 1970s when they were at a high level.

“I want to see a quality match tomorrow (Friday) and not powerful [and bad] tackles. We are in the quarter-final and we want to give the right impression of the football in Asia, the quality in Asia.”

Conflict and instability in Iraq was one of the motivating factors that pushed their team on to continental glory at the AFC Asian Cup more than seven years ago, and with unrest once more plaguing his homeland, Shenaishil feels the problems back home could have a galvanising effect on his players.

“We’re used to it, it’s a part of us – there’s no excuses about it for coaches or the players. I think the disadvantage was the delay in the naming of the coaching staff, if they named it earlier we could’ve worked with the players for a longer period of time for this tournament,” said Shenaishil, who was brought in on a temporary basis from Qatar Sports Club as a result of the dismissal of predecessor Hakeem Shakir in November.

“What our country is going through is a positive not a negative as it gives us more of a push to bring happiness and a positive result to our country in this competition.”