Category: Hassanane Balal

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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2019 WAFF, Hassanane Balal, Match Review

2019 WAFF Review – Iraq 0-1 Bahrain: An Honest Reflection On An Eventful Tournament

Blessings can come in many forms. Optimistic Iraqi fans, if there are any left, would like to think that today’s 2019 WAFF Final loss to Bahrain will have many positives to take away. Whilst the loss was disappointing in numerous ways, Iraq demonstrated an excellent ability to host a major international tournament with 9 different teams playing in two separate cities over a span of … Continue reading 2019 WAFF Review – Iraq 0-1 Bahrain: An Honest Reflection On An Eventful Tournament

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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, 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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Expat, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, transfers

Exclusive: Humam Tariq, Safaa Hadi and Muhanad Ali Kadhim All Linked With Turkish Clubs

With the transfer window open in Europe, there has been a surge of Iraqi players linked with several clubs in the region. Humam Tariq was recently in Turkey undergoing negotiations with second-tier club Elazığspor. The midfielder was previously set to sign with the club in January, but the transfer fell through in the last moment when Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya demanded a hefty transfer fee, which the … Continue reading Exclusive: Humam Tariq, Safaa Hadi and Muhanad Ali Kadhim All Linked With Turkish Clubs

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Asian Cup 2019, Expat, Hassanane Balal, osama rashid, yaser kasim

Osama Rashid & Yaser Kasim – A Tale Of Two Sides

Memories of Yaser Kasim making his debut for Iraq against China are now a distant memory for Iraqi fans. Then the star of Swindon, the Iraqi proved pivotal for the Lions of Mesopotamia, who outplayed their opponents in the crucial 2015 Asian Cup qualifier. Despite the two goals from Younis Mahmoud and another from Ali Adnan, Yaser walked away as the game’s hero. His calming … Continue reading Osama Rashid & Yaser Kasim – A Tale Of Two Sides

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Features, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Iraq FA

‪The Unveiling Of Najaf’s 30,000 Capacity Stadium To Signal A New Chapter For Iraqi Football‬

Now that FIFA have finally lifted their ban on Iraq hosting international matches, both the Iraqi FA and Ministry of Youth and Sport have been keen on arranging several friendlies for their eager fans. Monday will see Iraq take on Palestine in yet another home game for Iraq, where the FA can showcase their ability to successfully welcome international teams on Iraqi soil. The Basra … Continue reading ‪The Unveiling Of Najaf’s 30,000 Capacity Stadium To Signal A New Chapter For Iraqi Football‬

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Club Football, Expat, Features, Guest Writer, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, transfers

Introducing A-League’s Mario Shabow – Iraq’s Potential Midfield Prodigy

Australia has a long-standing history with Iraqi football and Mario Shabow is the latest player caught in the crossways between the two nations. Soon to be 20 years old, the youngster has settled down in Australia and has represented their U20 national team 13 times with 5 goals to his name. He was born in Baghdad, Iraq, to Assyrian parents and moved to Australia at … Continue reading Introducing A-League’s Mario Shabow – Iraq’s Potential Midfield Prodigy

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Features, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Iraq FA, News

FIFA Finally Lifts The Ban On Iraq Hosting International Football

Decades of torment and instability have left football as a final glimmer of hope that continues to unify Iraqis against all odds. FIFA’s decision to sanction Saddam Hussain following his invasion of Kuwait in 1990 resulted in Iraq being banned from hosting international matches. Nearly three decades on from the initial ban, Iraqis will be delighted to see FIFA finally lift that ban on their homeland. … Continue reading FIFA Finally Lifts The Ban On Iraq Hosting International Football

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Abdulla Al-Kalisy, ahmed yasin, Corruption, Expat, Features, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Youth Football

5 Reasons Why Iraqi Expats Are Suffering Under The Current FA & National Team

Ahmed Yasin was the first Iraqi player to feature regularly in the national team despite playing in a foreign country his entire career. Thanks to the excellent work of Iraqi Professional Players, an organisations that scouts the world for Iraqi expat footballers, Yasin was able to make his first team debut for Iraq and has continued to feature for his country since. There have been … Continue reading 5 Reasons Why Iraqi Expats Are Suffering Under The Current FA & National Team

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