Iraq sport

Australia to host Iraq in 2005

Australia will host Iraq in a friendly international next year as part of their preparations for the 2005 Confederations Cup in Germany and 2006 World Cup qualifiers. Australian Soccer Association chairman Frank Lowy released a statement saying the match would take place on March 26 at a venue to be decided. "Iraq showed by making the semi-finals at the Olympic Games and the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup that they are a quality football nation and will be an important test for us as we continue on the road to Germany," Lowy said. "We played Iraq back in 1973 as part of World Cup qualifying and we ended up making the finals for the first and only time so perhaps this is a good omen ahead of our World Cup qualifiers later in the year." Lowy said Australia had agreed to pay the full costs for the Iraq team and Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam said the fixture was an important step in strengthening ties between Asia and Oceania. "For Iraq's players, the game gives them the chance to do battle with truly world-class footballers," he said. "By playing quality top-flight opponents like Australia and being exposed to different styles of play, Asian football will definitely continue its upward curve."

Gulf Cup

A.Abu Al-Hail likely to miss Gulf Cup
Iranian side Istighlal Al-Ahwaz have not agreed to release Abdul Wahab Abu Al-Hail to allow to him to join up with the Iraqi national team in the Gulf Cup. As things stand now, Abu Al-Hail looks set to miss out on the tournament. Abu Al-Hail's absence would be a blow to Hamad's side in their quest to challenge for the cup. The 29 year-old-midfielder is the only truly experienced midfielder in Hamad's squad and his absence would force Hamad to juggle his options around.

Iraqi League

Al-Jawia and Al-Zawra held to draws

Al-Mena' scored their second successive win in the Iraqi league with a 2-1 victory over local city team Al-Basra. Bashar Hadi, the son of the team's coach and Iraqi legend Hadi Ahmed, scored and former Al-Zawraa' star Nassir Tala'a added another to lift Al-Mena'a to the top of Group 4 in the Iraqi league. Al-Basra pulled one back through Hosam Kadhum. The match saw former Shorta midfielder Qais Issa put another solid show in the Menaa' shirt once again. In other Group 4 action, Al-Simawa were held to a 2-2 draw by Al-Nassriya, Misaan won 1-0 over Al-Diwaniya. Al-Kout's game against Al-Shorta was postponed due to the latter's participation in a friendly tournament in the United Arab Emirates. In Group 3 Al-Talaba recovered from their shock loss to Al-Karkh last week to register a 4-2 win over Balad. The team from the town north west of Baghdad were sunk by a hattrick from Alaa Kadhim and a goal from Alaa' Nairoz. Elsewhere an injury time equalizer from Ali Hasan earned Al-Ramadi a valuable 1-1 draw at Al-Karkh, with former Iraqi international Monthir Khalaf on the scoresheet for Al-Karkh. Al Nafot defeated Salah Addin 2-1. Al-Karkh top the standings with 4 points from two matches. In Karbala, Al-Zawraa's clash with the home side ended in a 1-1 draw. Moslim Mubarak snatched an equalizer for the visitors in 76th minute after former Zawra'a star Sahib Abbas had put the home side in front. Al-Istiqlal held Babil to a 1-1 draw, Al-Najaf scored their first win of the season with a 1-0 win over Al-Sho'la, while Al-Kadhmiya tied with Al Sinaa'a 1-1. In Group 1, Al-Jawia's troubles continued with another dismal performance in their 0-0 draw with Al-Silaymaniya, while Duhok and Arbil played to a 2-2 draw in an entertaining match. Al-Silaymaniya's Sayrawan defeated Duhok's Pirs 2-0. Kirkuk earned their first three points of the season with a 3-1 triumph over Zakho.

Iraq league

Talaba stunned in Iraq league opener

The opening round of the 2004/05 Iraqi league season saw a surprise result as Baghdad giants Al Talaba suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Al Karkh. Iraq’s other big clubs had few problems though as Al Zawra’a scored a 4-0 victory against Al Kazimiya while Al Shorta defeated Southern Nafat 5-1. Five-time league champions Al Talaba suffered an opening day setback as they fell to a late goal at Al Karkh. The only goal of the Group C match came just seconds before the final whistle as Sinan Fawzi netted the decisive goal. Elsewhere, Al Zawra’a hammered Al Kazimiya with goals by Hisham Mohammed, Wisam Zaki, Ahmed Abduljabar and Alaa Sattar securing a comfortable Group B win for the home side. Al Shorta also cruised to victory against Southern Nafat with a brace by Hasem Rida and one goal by Taysir Abdulhusain giving them a 3-0 lead at half time. Amar Ahmed and Bashar Saed added second half goals to wrap up the big win for Al Shorta in Group D Southern Nafat’s only consolation came from Usama Sattar who notched his side’s lone goal. Iraq league – Round 1 results: Group A Al Quwa Al Jawiya 3 Zakho 0 Pires 0 Al Sulaymania 0 Mosul 1 Kirkuk 0 Duhok 1 Sirwan 1 Group B Al-Jaish v. Babel (postponed) Al-Sina’a 1 Al Istiklal 0 Al Zawra’a 4 Al Kazimiya 0 Al Shoala 1 Karbala 3 Group C Salahaddin 0 Deyali 0 Al Kahraba 4 Samara'a 0 Balad 1 Al Nafat 0 Al-Karkh 1 Al Talaba 0 Group D Al Minaa 2 Al Diwaniya 0 Misan 0 Al Kout 0 Southern Nafat 1 Al Shorta 5 Al Nassriya 1 Basra 1

Iraqi League

Iraqi League under criticism

27 October 2004 Iraq-After all the excitement of getting the Iraqi league up and running, the league is now attracting some criticism for its format and structure. The Iraqi league has shied away from the divisional system, instead, the league consists of 50 teams all playing in one division but they are divided into 4 geographical zones. The Father of Iraqi football, Amobaba commented that the league structure does not help players improve their standards. His comment was echoed by Abdul Ghani Shahd, the coach of Al Najaf who told Azzaman newspaper, “Most of these teams have no experience and they don’t know how to play football. This will affect the standards of the league.” The Iraqi league is back having gone missing last year due to the political situations in the country.

Iraqi League

Life's back in the Iraqi league

21 October 2004 Iraq's domestic league started on Wednesday when Al-Shurta defeated Naft-ul-Junoob 5-1. With three government ministers and the police academy close by, tight security arrangements were very visible in the midst of the large crowds which had gathered to witness the game. Last year, the League was cancelled due to the difficult circumstances within the country. The organizers hoped that League will bring more soccer fans in the future particularly after Iraq's outstanding show in Athens Olympics where they reached the semi-finals.

Go Iraq

Jordan and Iraq to host World Cup 2018

7 October 2004 Jordan-Prince Faisal of Jordan today declared that both Jordan and Iraq are considering to submit a request to FIFA on the possibility of co-hosting the World Cup in 2018. The dream to be the first West Asian countries to host the World Cup since 1930 was conveyed by Prince Faisal when he visited London, according to the Guardian newspaper. “We’ve had initial discussions between Jordan FA and Iraq FA to submit our formal request to FIFA,” said Prince Faisal. He particularly played down the difficulties facing Iraq, “It depends what the future holds in the next five years. Of course, with the current situation, many people think it is quite impossible for Iraq to host such an event but who knows what could happen in the future. Iraq could be a very prosperous nation then,” added Prince Faisal. The FIFA World Cup 2014 might go to Brazil and it will be Asia’s turn next to host in 2018. Korea Republic and Japan were the first Asian countries to co-host the World Cup in 2002.