Author: Hassanane Balal

Iraqi - 23 - Football
Features, Iraq

5 Things We Miss Most From Watching The Iraq National Football Team

With football still on-hold in most countries, and the existing quarantine measures likely to be extended over the coming few days, we thought it would be a good idea to reminisce over what we miss the most about watching Iraq play. Whilst winning is an incredible feeling, it’s the little things that make being an Iraqi football fan that slight bit more meaningful. Here are … Continue reading 5 Things We Miss Most From Watching The Iraq National Football Team

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Expat, interview, Youth Football

Interview With Amir Aldaraji – Introducing The U23 Iraqi National Team Expat Based In The USA

One of the rising talents in the world of Iraqi football, Amir has been training with the U23 Iraq football team and has impressed coaches with his talents. Currently based in the USA, he is now assessing his next move in order to further his career. We sat down with Amir Aldaraji for this exclusive interview with IraqFootball.me: Being an Iraqi has always been a … Continue reading Interview With Amir Aldaraji – Introducing The U23 Iraqi National Team Expat Based In The USA

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Gulf Cup 2019, Iraq, Match Review

Review: Reflections on Iraq’s 2019 Gulf Cup Campaign – A Step In The Right Direction, Or More Of The Same?

Defeat is always difficult to stomach. However, it’s significantly more painful when it comes against a team that you have failed to beat in four consecutive attempts within a five month period. Katanec will be pulling his hair out after yet another loss to Bahrain, who have now knocked Iraq out of both the 2019 WAFF and the 2019 Gulf Cup, going on to win … Continue reading Review: Reflections on Iraq’s 2019 Gulf Cup Campaign – A Step In The Right Direction, Or More Of The Same?

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2022 World Cup Qualifiers, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Match Review, World Cup Qualifiers

2022 WCQ Match Review – Iraq 0-0 Bahrain

All eyes were on Iraq following last week’s incredible victory over Iran. A victory would have all but secured qualification to the next round for the Lions of Mesopotamia, but Bahrain have notoriously been a difficult opposition for Iraq to beat. The last two fixtures with Bahrain have resulted in one loss and one draw, thus the prospect of a comfortable win today were minimal. … Continue reading 2022 WCQ Match Review – Iraq 0-0 Bahrain

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Iraq

Interview with Brwa Nouri – How Football Saved My Life & Why I’m Open To Returning To The Iraqi National Team

I am of a Kurdish origin, from Iraq. My mom was born in Sulaymaniyah and my father was born in Halabja. We moved to Sweden to seek refuge from the government who were in power at the time. It was a difficult journey to get to Sweden and we had to pass through many different countries before we settled there. We chose Sweden because it … Continue reading Interview with Brwa Nouri – How Football Saved My Life & Why I’m Open To Returning To The Iraqi National Team

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Iraq

2022 WCQ Match Review – Iraq 2-1 Iran

Despite all the difficulties this Iraqi team has experienced over recent months, what with the ongoing protests currently occupying the country and resulting in both home games for Iraq being played in Jordan, Iraqi fans will forever remember this day. Katanec changes things up with a defensive approach to this huge fixture, with Rebin Sulaka called up as a sweeper to play alongside a trio … Continue reading 2022 WCQ Match Review – Iraq 2-1 Iran

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2022 World Cup Qualifiers, Iraq, Match Review

2022 WCQ Match Reviews – Two Wins In Two, But Fans Are Still Left Feeling Disappointed With Katanec

Match Reviews For Iraq 2-0 Hong Kong & Iraq 4-0 Cambodia Two consecutive victories should have left Iraqi fans feeling satisfied, yet fans were left with more questions than answers as Iraq secured all six points against group minnows Hong Kong and Cambodia. The initially excitement of seeing competitive football return to Iraq soon fizzled out after a narrow victory over Hong Kong in the … Continue reading 2022 WCQ Match Reviews – Two Wins In Two, But Fans Are Still Left Feeling Disappointed With Katanec

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2022 World Cup Qualifiers, Corruption, Expat, Iraq, Iraq FA

Why Is Nobody Talking About The Quota The Iraqi FA Has Placed On Expat Players In Matchday Squads?

Whilst Katanec announces his squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers with Iraq taking on Hong Kong in Basra, then playing Cambodia away from home, some Iraqi fans will be asking why there is such a shortage of expat players present the squad. Firstly, lets examine the term ‘expat’ – The Iraqi FA seem to see their own players who happened to be born outside … Continue reading Why Is Nobody Talking About The Quota The Iraqi FA Has Placed On Expat Players In Matchday Squads?

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Guest Writer, Iraq

Exclusive: Has Ali Adnan Been A Success At Vancouver Whitecaps FC?

Iraqfootball.me are delighted to be joined by Manuel Veth in a discussion on how successful Ali Adnan’s transfer to Vancouver Whitecaps has been since he joined the MLS side. Manuel, who covers the Vancouver Whitecaps on ProSoccerUSA.com, can be contacted on Twitter here.   Question 1 – What did you think when you first heard Vancouver were signing Ali Adnan? Answer – I think, like … Continue reading Exclusive: Has Ali Adnan Been A Success At Vancouver Whitecaps FC?

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Hassanane Balal, interview, Jiloan Hamad

Interview With Jiloan Hamad – My Story So Far & Why I Chose Iraq Over Sweden

I moved to Sweden in 92 and loved it there. They treated me right and I was raised in a family where everything was about respect and learning. My parents were born in Ranya, Northern Iraq. Both speak fluent Arabic and Farsi. They instilled a lot of my culture in me from a young age even though I was born in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was … Continue reading Interview With Jiloan Hamad – My Story So Far & Why I Chose Iraq Over Sweden

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