Category: Iraq

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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Corruption, Features, Guest Writer, Iraq, Youth Football

Feature: The Lack Of Planning In Iraq’s Youth Team Is Ruining The National Team’s Future

There has been a noticeable level of success achieved by the Iraqi national team at the youth level over the previous two decades. Iraq has previously finish 4th in Athens 2004 Olympics, 4th in the U23 World Cup 2013, amongst other successes with the U20 and U17 sides, both on a continental and international level. Contrastingly, the results of Iraq’s senior national team have failed … Continue reading Feature: The Lack Of Planning In Iraq’s Youth Team Is Ruining The National Team’s Future

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Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Iraq Olympics Football, Match Review, Youth Football

U23 Asian Cup Quarterfinal Match Review: Iraq 3-3 Vietnam

Iraq crashed out of the U23 in excruciating circumstances after a thrilling 120 minutes. Vietnam started the better of the two sides. They took an early lead after only 11 minutes following a defensive error inside the Iraqi box. The Lions of Mesopotamia failed to clear the ball from an incoming set piece and the ball fell to Nguyen Cong Phuong, who slotted passed a hapless Ahmed … Continue reading U23 Asian Cup Quarterfinal Match Review: Iraq 3-3 Vietnam

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Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Iraq Olympics Football, Match Review, Youth Football

U23 Asian Cup Match Review: Iraq 1-0 Jordan

Iraq sealed their place in the next round of the Asian Cup U23 with a narrow victory over Jordan. It was a tense affair but Iraq dominated for the majority of the game. They came close on many occasions but the lack of killer instinct in front of goal failed to make it a comfortable win. The first half was an open affair, where Iraq … Continue reading U23 Asian Cup Match Review: Iraq 1-0 Jordan

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Basim Kasim, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Iraq FA, News

Exclusive – Iraq Looking To Appoint Experienced Aussie To Replace Basim Qasim

Ongoing uncertainty regarding Basim Qasim’s future has resulted in the Iraqi FA contacting various foreign managers in search of a replacement for the Asian Cup 2019. The national team has an atrocious record with manager selection, where Hakim Shakir, Akram Salman, Yahya Alwan, Radhi Shenaishil and Basim Qasim have all taken charge since the last Asian cup in 2015. There are claims that the FA … Continue reading Exclusive – Iraq Looking To Appoint Experienced Aussie To Replace Basim Qasim

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Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Iraq Olympics Football, Match Review, Youth Football

U23 Asian Cup Match Review: Iraq 0-0 Saudi Arabia

The Titan clash between fierce rivals Saudi Arabia and Iraq proved to be a tense affair with neither team able to dominate the opposition. Iraq started the game off strongly, holding the majority of possession and playing in the opposition half. However, they were unable to capitalise on this as they struggled to create any real chances. Both Hussain Ali and Bashar Resan had quiet … Continue reading U23 Asian Cup Match Review: Iraq 0-0 Saudi Arabia

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Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Match Review, Youth Football

U23 Asian Cup Match Review: Iraq 4-1 Malaysia

Iraq started their U23 Asian Cup campaign at walking pace with an easy victory over Malaysia. The Lions looked completely dominant right from kickoff, with Safaa Hadi and Amjed Atwan running the show. Bashar set up the first with a sensational cross using the outside of his boot, which was headed in by Mohammed Jaffal. Amjed Atwan extended the lead with a low driven shot … Continue reading U23 Asian Cup Match Review: Iraq 4-1 Malaysia

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Expat, Hassanane Balal, interview, Iraq

Interview With Neil Yadolahi – Iraq’s Young Centre Back And Former Burnley Footballer

My dad is born in Najaf, Iraq. His father was Iranian but his mother is Iraqi. He moved to Ireland when he was 22, which is where he married my Irish mother. Most of my father’s family currently live in Iran. My dad would drive me to training at a young age whilst listen to news about Iraq. He’d make sure my brother and me knew … Continue reading Interview With Neil Yadolahi – Iraq’s Young Centre Back And Former Burnley Footballer

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