Category: Expat

Expat, Features, Guest Writer, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, World Cup u17, Youth Football

5 Reasons Why Iraq Struggles To Produce Quality Young Football Players

Only a real sceptic would argue that there were no positives to be taken from the 2017 World Cup U-17 campaign that saw Iraq defeated by Mali in the last 16 round. However, it is important to acknowledge that the team that is supposedly the best in Asia ended up crashing in the final stages of the tournament. The last two fixtures against England and … Continue reading 5 Reasons Why Iraq Struggles To Produce Quality Young Football Players

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Club Football, english, Expat, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, News, transfers, yaser kasim

Yaser Kasim Signs With League One Side Northampton Town

Having endured a turbulent time at Swindon Town over the last two seasons, Yaser Kasim has finally left The Robins in search of a new club to reignite his career. The Iraqi international has found his career plateauing following a difficult time with the national team and ongoing fitness issues. Voted as the best Iraqi expat footballer in 2015, Yaser Kasim was considered a certainty … Continue reading Yaser Kasim Signs With League One Side Northampton Town

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Ali Faez, Expat, Iraq, News

Iraq’s Ali Faez Reveals He’s Keen To Leave Turkish Outfit Rizespor

Following the departure of Ali Hosni, whose tenure lasted all but a few days at Rizespor, it seems that the Turkish club are set to lose on yet another Iraqi youngster. Ali Faez has revealed his frustration at the lack of playing time granted to him at his new side, who he had only joined last the summer. The youngster is said to be interested in moving clubs … Continue reading Iraq’s Ali Faez Reveals He’s Keen To Leave Turkish Outfit Rizespor

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Expat, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Midfielder, News, osama rashid, transfers

Osama Rashid Signs For PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv

Iraqi international and ex-Holland youth player, Osama Rashid has signed a two year contract with Bulgarian side PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv. The move follows Osama’s impressive campaign with SC Farense, where the midfielder featured 41 times for the Portuguese outfit and proved instrumental to the side. The 24 year old demonstrated a keen eye for goal, netting eight times for the Leões de Faro as well as assisting … Continue reading Osama Rashid Signs For PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv

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english, Expat, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Iraq Olympics Football, Midfielder, News

Ali Husni Signs For Turkish Side Çaykur Rizespor

Ali Husni Faisal has put pen to paper with Turkish side Çaykur Rizespor for an undisclosed fee. The Iraqi international has signed a five year deal that should keep him at the club until 2021. He will be joining fellow Iraqi international Dhurgham Ismail, who is the club’s current defensive left back. Rizespor play in the Turkish Super Lig, the top division in the country. The … Continue reading Ali Husni Signs For Turkish Side Çaykur Rizespor

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Ali Abbas, english, Expat, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, News

Ali Abbas Leaves Sydney FC To Sign With K League’s Pohang Steelers

Following Ali Abbas’ departure from Sydney FC, the left-back has been quick to find a club for him to ply his trade for next season. Abbas’ contract was terminated through mutual agreement between the player and the Australian side after the player expressed his interest at moving abroad to the Far-East of Asia. His transfer comes after a successful spell in Australia, where the 29 … Continue reading Ali Abbas Leaves Sydney FC To Sign With K League’s Pohang Steelers

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Aldin Al Zubaidi, english, Expat, Hassanane Balal, interview, Iraq

Exclusive Interview: Meeting Aldin Al Zubaidi – Iraq, Scotland and More.

  – Childhood – I was born in Baghdad and come from a family of four – my parents and an older brother. My father and brother are both civil engineers. Nobody in my family is a footballer but we all support football teams and like to play football – my father supports Liverpool and my older brother supports Manchester United, so obviously there’s a bit … Continue reading Exclusive Interview: Meeting Aldin Al Zubaidi – Iraq, Scotland and More.

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ahmed yasin, Corruption, english, Expat, Features, Guest Writer, Hassanane Balal, Preview, World Cup Qualifiers

Feature: Osama Rashid Returns To Save Iraqi Football

In 2011, Osama Rashid was selected to represent the Iraqi national team in a friendly match against Kuwait. The midfielder, a surprise call-up and one of the first so called ‘expat’ players to feature for Iraq, looked on as Iraq’s iconic captain Younis Mahmoud felt a pain in his hamstring. After receiving treatment, the physio indicates Younis will have to be replaced. The German coach, Wolfgang Sidka, has a word … Continue reading Feature: Osama Rashid Returns To Save Iraqi Football

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english, Expat, Features, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, News

Feature: Iraqi Footballers Soon To Flood Europe?

Over the past week, a plethora of young Iraqi talent have signed up with Persian Stars Ltd, a football agency run by none other than Behrooz Dezhbod. We had the pleasure of meeting Behrooz a few months ago, where he discussed his interest in working with Iraqi footballers. The football agent was the former representative of Iraqi superstar Nashat Akram as well as current international … Continue reading Feature: Iraqi Footballers Soon To Flood Europe?

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Corruption, english, Expat, Hassanane Balal, interview, Iraq, Iraq FA, Midfielder, Nashat Akram, nashat akram interview

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: An Evening With Nashat Akram – Childhood, Manchester City, FC Twente & Iraq – Part 2

Part 2 from our exclusive interview with Iraqi footballing legend Nashat Akram. Click here for ‘An Evening With Nashat Akram – Iraq, Goals, Career & World Cup Qualification – Part 1‘.   Among the hoards of tourists and city workers wandering around central London walks a figure unrecognisable to many, yet still idolised by millions across the world. After bombarding him with requests for an interview, Nashat Akram … Continue reading EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: An Evening With Nashat Akram – Childhood, Manchester City, FC Twente & Iraq – Part 2

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