Author: Hassanane Balal

Iraqi - 23 - Football
2019 WAFF, Match Review

2019 WAFF Match Review: Iraq 1-0 Lebanon

The 2019 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship kicked off between Iraq and Lebanon, with the hosts taking all three points following a narrow win thanks to Hussain Ali. Iraq, who are hosting the tournament in Karbala and Erbil, fielded a significantly weaker side that featured mostly players from the domestic and gulf leagues. The likes of Ali Adnan, Osama Rashid, Ahmed Yasin and Frans … Continue reading 2019 WAFF Match Review: Iraq 1-0 Lebanon

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Features, Iraq, transfers

Exclusive: Leaked Documents Reveal Several Huge European Clubs Chasing Mohanad Ali Transfer

There have been numerous rumours circulating online and across the football world related to the transfer of Iraqi wonderkid, Mohanad Ali. However, one cannot fault fans for taking such rumours with a pinch of salt. Dozens of Iraqi players have previously been linked to European sides, such as Humam Tariq moving to Udinese. However, more often than not, these transfers fail to materialise, or were … Continue reading Exclusive: Leaked Documents Reveal Several Huge European Clubs Chasing Mohanad Ali Transfer

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Asian Cup 2019, Iraq, Player Ratings

2019 Asian Cup: Iraq Squad Individual Player Ratings

Goalkeepers Jalal Hassan – The Captain. All eyes were on the number one spot in goal coming into this tournament. Jalal did very little to ease these concerns and failed to make a claim for this position in the opening game. A miscommunication between Ali Faez and a weak hand on the ball led to two Vietnamese goals, albeit they were not entirely his fault. … Continue reading 2019 Asian Cup: Iraq Squad Individual Player Ratings

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Asian Cup 2019, Corruption, Expat, Features, Guest Writer, Iraq

5 Talking Points From The 2019 Asian Cup: Painful Reflection On Iraq’s Gradual Decline As An Asian Footballing Force

Thrown into an impossible task, Katanec took a broken squad and created a unit capable of challenging the best in Asia. No doubt, Iraq could have performed better, but given the circumstances and expectations around the national team only a few months ago, there are still plenty of positives to take away from the four games played in the 2019 Asian Cup.  We have listed … Continue reading 5 Talking Points From The 2019 Asian Cup: Painful Reflection On Iraq’s Gradual Decline As An Asian Footballing Force

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Asian Cup 2019, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Match Review

Asian Cup 2019 Match Review: Iraq 0-1 Qatar

Football can be an extremely cruel game at times, yet it can also be equally peculiar. In what turned out to be a heartbreaking 90 minutes for Iraqi fans, it was one of their own that sent the Lions of Mesopotamia packing after a narrow defeat to Qatar.  Bassam Al-Rawi, born in Iraq, and son of the former Iraqi defender, Hisham Al-Rawi, scored the only … Continue reading Asian Cup 2019 Match Review: Iraq 0-1 Qatar

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Asian Cup 2019, Iraq, Match Review

Asian Cup 2019 Match Review: Iraq 0-0 Iran

As expected, Iraq’s final group game with Iran proved to be a tense affair for both teams. Although Iraq came closest to snatching a crucial win, Iran dominated for the majority of the 90 minutes and managed to hold onto top spot in a tough group. It was anticipated that Katanec would field a weakened team going into the Iran game in order to rest … Continue reading Asian Cup 2019 Match Review: Iraq 0-0 Iran

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Asian Cup 2019, Hassanane Balal, Match Review

Asian Cup 2019 Match Review: Iraq 3-0 Yemen

Ali Adnan’s heroics in the final minute of the Vietnam match put Iraq within touching distance of the second round of the the 2019 Asian Cup. Although it was not a great performance, the three points were all that mattered as it allowed Iraq to enter their game against Yemen with the possibility of qualifying to the final 16 with a match to spare. Katanec … Continue reading Asian Cup 2019 Match Review: Iraq 3-0 Yemen

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Asian Cup 2019, Iraq, Match Review

2019 Asian Cup Match Review: Iraq 3-2 Vietnam

Katanec’s team selection was leaked a few days prior to kickoff, with his starting XI posted all across the internet. His selection was a surprise to many, given how attacking it appeared to be. Iraq started with a back three of Ali Faez, Ahmed Ibrahim and Frans Putros, with Walid Salim and Ali Adnan providing width as wing backs. The midfield of Osama Rashid, Safaa … Continue reading 2019 Asian Cup Match Review: Iraq 3-2 Vietnam

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Asian Cup 2019, Iraq, Preview

Asian Cup 2019 Preview – How Will Iraq Do Under Katanec?

Fans are well aware of the difficulties currently plaguing the Iraqi national team yet expectations are still high as ever for the Lions of Mesopotamia. Despite the constant changing of managers, lack of long-term strategic planning and an inept FA, Katanec still possess an abundance of quality at his disposal. It would be unfair on the manager to expect the national side to compete in … Continue reading Asian Cup 2019 Preview – How Will Iraq Do Under Katanec?

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Asian Cup 2019, friendly, Iraq, Match Review

Match Review: Iraq 0-4 Argentina & Iraq 1-1 Saudi Arabia

The first of two friendlies, Iraq took on a second-string Argentina side that still possessed enormous quality. It was a tough game for Kalanic to start his reign as Iraqi manager, but it did not stop him from experimenting with the side, bringing in the likes of Osama, Yasin, Justin, Bashar, Mohanad Ali and Mohammed Dawood. The game went exactly as expected, with Argentina completely … Continue reading Match Review: Iraq 0-4 Argentina & Iraq 1-1 Saudi Arabia

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