Iraqi expert: 'Vietnam is not a difficult opponent'

According to coach Ahmed Salah, Iraq can defeat Vietnam if they continue to play like they did when they crushed Indonesia in Group F, the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.

*Vietnam - Iraq: 7pm Tuesday 11/21, on VnExpress

Before leaving for Vietnam to play the second match of Group F, Iraq received advice from coach Salah. He said that coach Jesus Casas needed to correct Iraq's defensive mistakes in the match against Indonesia, and that the players had all played "beyond excellently", especially left-back Merchas Doski.

Iraqi coach Ahmed Salah and his Al-Shorta club will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet Al Nassr in the Arab Cup Champions Cup semi-finals on August 8, 2023. Photo: NABD — Iraqi coach Ahmed Salah and his Al-Shorta club will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet Al Nassr in the Arab Cup Champions Cup semi-finals on August 8, 2023. Photo: *NABD*

Coach Salah, 41, is currently leading Al Talaba Club in the Iraqi championship. As a player, he played as a striker, scoring five goals in 29 matches for Iraq from 2002-2008, but has never faced Vietnam. However, he does not think Philippe Troussier's team is a challenge for Iraq. "Vietnam will not be a difficult opponent for Iraq," he added. "However, they have home advantage and the support of the audience. If they continue to play like they did when they beat Indonesia, Iraq will complete the task against Vietnam."

Iraq beat Indonesia 5-1 in the opening match of the second qualifying round in Basra on the evening of November 16. After the match, they took a private plane and flew straight to Vietnam and arrived at Noi Bai on the morning of November 17. In the press conference after the match against Indonesia, Coach Casas said that "the trip to Vietnam will be full of challenges".

Iraq beat Vietnam 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the 2007 Asian Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, with striker Younis Mahmoud scoring a brace. Mahmoud, who has since retired and is now the vice-president of the Iraqi Football Federation, accompanied the team to Hanoi this time. He praised Casas and his players for their recent victory, and urged them to be determined to earn three more points at My Dinh.

Iraq will continue to be without defensive midfielder Amjad Attwan, but coach Casas has decided not to add any players. Former Man Utd midfielder Zidane Iqbal has not been called up due to injury.

Iraq have met Vietnam four times in the past, winning three and drawing one. The last time the two teams met was in the group stage of the 2019 Asian Cup, when the West Asian representative won 3-2.

Hoang An (according to Kooora )

Source link