Category: Hassanane Balal

Corruption, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Iraq FA

“The Iraqi FA Keeps 60% Of The Annual Budget As Salaries” – Younis Mahmoud

As the dust settles from Iraq’s atrocious performance against UAE in the Gulf Cup semi final loss, more and more people are starting to speak out against the appalling corruption that is holding back Iraqi football. Early in the week, Iraqfootball.me was highly critical of the Iraqi FA’s treatment of the ‘Golden Generation’. However, after yesterday’s result, Younis Mahmoud has launched a devastating attack on … Continue reading “The Iraqi FA Keeps 60% Of The Annual Budget As Salaries” – Younis Mahmoud

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal1 Comment
Gulf Cup 23, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Match Review

Gulf Cup 23 Review: Iraq 0-0 UAE – Iraq Crashes Out On Penalties Despite A Promising Tournament

They say insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again, but expecting to see a different outcome. By that very definition, it’s clear that everyone managing the Iraqi national team is suffering with a mental disorder to some extent. Against a poor UAE team, Iraq somehow still struggled to do the basics right despite two convincing wins in the group stages of the … Continue reading Gulf Cup 23 Review: Iraq 0-0 UAE – Iraq Crashes Out On Penalties Despite A Promising Tournament

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal4 Comments
Corruption, Features, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Iraq FA, Nashat Akram

How Our FA Has Failed Iraqi Football & The ‘Golden Generation’

Nashat Akram and Noor Sabri were recently featured on Abu Dhabi Sport to discuss Iraq’s hopes of hosting the 24th edition of the Gulf Cup. With the president of Iraq’s FA, Abdul Khaliq Masood, also present, the show proved to be a tense affair with some heated dialogue and interesting points raised. Amongst the areas of discussion, questions were asked of the Iraqi FA’s poor … Continue reading How Our FA Has Failed Iraqi Football & The ‘Golden Generation’

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal3 Comments
Abdulla Al-Kalisy, Expat, Hassanane Balal, interview, Youth Football

Interview With Abdulla Al-Kalisy – Iraq’s Exciting New Zealand Based Winger

Having recently been called up for Iraq’s U23 side, IraqFootball.me was fortunate enough to interview Abdulla Al-Kalisy. Only 21 years of age, this was the first time the youngster has been involved with the Iraqi national team at any level. We sat down and discussed his career to date, including his time with Iraq and playing first team football in New Zealand. Abdulla’s energy and love … Continue reading Interview With Abdulla Al-Kalisy – Iraq’s Exciting New Zealand Based Winger

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal1 Comment
ali adnan, Club Football, Expat, Features, Hassanane Balal, Iraq

In-depth Analysis: Is Ali Adnan’s Resurgence The Reason Udinese Have Turned Their Season Around?

Recent years of have seen Udinese lingering in and around the relegation zone for most of the season. In a team that was desperately struggling, many were left to question Ali Adnan’s abilities given that he was unable to earn any gametime in a supposedly poor side. Many raised valid questions, including various media outlets who linked the Iraqi international with moves away from the … Continue reading In-depth Analysis: Is Ali Adnan’s Resurgence The Reason Udinese Have Turned Their Season Around?

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal1 Comment
Corruption, Features, Hassanane Balal, Nashat Akram, News

Nashat Akram & Hawar Mulla Mohammed Invited By FC Twente To Begin Their Careers As Football Directors

Cult heroes, Nashat Akram and Hawar Mulla Mohammed, have both embarked on a new quest to return Iraqi football to its golden era. Known for their tremendous footballing skills on the pitch, fans can now look to Nashat and Hawar to guide Iraqi football once again, just as they did whilst they were donning the famous green jersey. Both players have been viewed as footballing … Continue reading Nashat Akram & Hawar Mulla Mohammed Invited By FC Twente To Begin Their Careers As Football Directors

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal1 Comment
Ameen Alkailany, Corruption, Expat, Hassanane Balal, interview, Iraq, Other Sports, riyadh al azzawi

Interview: Riyadh Al Azzawi – Returning To Iraq & What Hosting KGP: Baghdad Means For Iraqi Football

The world famous Iraqi kickboxer, Riyadh Al Azzawi, has just returned from his long overdue trip to Iraq. It was the first time he has returned home since leaving as a youngster. He travelled as part of KGP: Baghdad, who organised a massive event in Al Shaab Stadium. Plenty of UK based athletes traveled to Baghdad in order to perform in front of an entire … Continue reading Interview: Riyadh Al Azzawi – Returning To Iraq & What Hosting KGP: Baghdad Means For Iraqi Football

Unknown's avatarHassanane BalalLeave a comment
ali adnan, Expat, Features, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Iraq FA, Nashat Akram

It’s The Duty Of Every Iraqi Football Fan To Support Ali Adnan At Udinese

Iraqis don’t like to hold back their opinions when it comes to football. One can argue that it’s one of the reasons that we love the sport. It gives us an opportunity to discuss, share ideas and even quarrel. For all it’s pains, football brings people together and is one of the few remaining things that bring happiness to us as a nation given the … Continue reading It’s The Duty Of Every Iraqi Football Fan To Support Ali Adnan At Udinese

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal2 Comments
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

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal1 Comment
Features, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, World Cup u17, Youth Football

2017 World Cup U-17 Review – Iraq’s Hopes Come Crashing Down After A Promising Start

Iraq’s exit at the hands of Mali in the last 16 round of the 2017 World Cup U-17 tournament may be considered a reality check given the nature of the defeat. Expectations were high going into India 2017, where Mohamed Dawood could lead the Lions of Mesopotamia to a respectable finish. The highflying forward was recently ranked by The Guardian as one of the world’s … Continue reading 2017 World Cup U-17 Review – Iraq’s Hopes Come Crashing Down After A Promising Start

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal1 Comment