Category: Iraq

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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Corruption, english, Iraq, Iraq FA, News, World Cup Qualifiers

Radhi Shenaishil Appointed As Iraq National Team Head Coach

Iraq have somehow qualified from the first stage of the World Cup Qualifiers group after a series of disastrous results and performances. Radhi Shenaishil, who took over from the calamitous Hakeem Shakir, somehow steadied a sinking ship and pushed Iraq to four place in the Asian Cup 2015. Sadly, his appointment was only on a temporary basis, with him soon returning to his club duties with Qatar … Continue reading Radhi Shenaishil Appointed As Iraq National Team Head Coach

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal4 Comments
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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english, Features, Guest Writer, Iraq, World Cup Qualifiers

FEATURE: Younis Mahmoud – What next for Iraq’s beleaguered captain?

The Lion Heart PELÉ OF DIBBIS Iraq’s national side is known to its loyal supporters as the Lions of Mesopotamia – a term first coined during the team’s heroics at the 2004 Olympic Games. Their talismanic No.10, Younis Mahmoud, was one of those young lions in Athens, and twelve years on, the Iraqi captain is the only remaining Lion, standing amongst a fledgling pride of cubs, eyeing … Continue reading FEATURE: Younis Mahmoud – What next for Iraq’s beleaguered captain?

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal6 Comments
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

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal5 Comments
english, Features, Hassanane Balal, interview, Iraq, Iraq FA, Midfielder, Nashat Akram, nashat akram interview, World Cup Qualifiers, yaser kasim

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: 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 kindly invited me to join him for a coffee at his favourite spot in the capital. They say, “you should never meet your heroes” as the experience is often a disappointment, leaving … Continue reading EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: An Evening With Nashat Akram – Iraq, Goals, Career & World Cup Qualification – Part 1

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal15 Comments
ahmed yasin, ali adnan, Corruption, english, Expat, Features, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Iraq FA, Midfielder, News, World Cup Qualifiers, yaser kasim

Ali Adnan Hits Back Against Corrupt Iraqi F.A In A Devastating Attack

Ali Adnan has attacked the Iraqi Football Federation in a scintillating rant, where he claimed that Iraqi fans are unaware of what the players and the coaching staff of the national team have been put through during recent times. Iraq’s young wingback has started in Iraq’s last three World Cup qualifiers under current manager Yahya Alwan, featuring in a slightly more attacking position than his … Continue reading Ali Adnan Hits Back Against Corrupt Iraqi F.A In A Devastating Attack

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal5 Comments
english, Iraq, Match Review, News, World Cup Qualifiers

Iraq vs. Vietnam Review – A Late Penalty Rescues Iraq Following Another Abysmal Performance

What should have been a routine win turned up to be a near disaster for Iraq as they pulled one back in the dying stages of their World Cup qualifier with Vietnam. The manager fielded a full strength team and still struggled to see any sort of progression following the three nil loss against Jordan last Saturday. The so-called ‘expats’ featured heavily in the team … Continue reading Iraq vs. Vietnam Review – A Late Penalty Rescues Iraq Following Another Abysmal Performance

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal3 Comments
Expat, Features, Iraq, Midfielder, News, World Cup Qualifiers

The Rise Of Justin Meram

A tough start to his international career saw Columbus Crew’s Justin Meram on the brink of the first team for Iraq. His form for his club has been excellent, with him scoring regularly and putting in match-winning performances. Sadly, that form was absent during the Asian Cup 2015, where he featured frequently but failed to make his mark. However, sixteen games into his international career and things … Continue reading The Rise Of Justin Meram

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friendly, Iraq, Jordan, News, Preview, World Cup Qualifiers

Iraq vs. Jordan – Match Preview – 03/10/2015

With 79 minutes to go and Iraq comfortably leading two goals to nil against a hapless Thailand, few people would have betted against the Lions of Mesopotamia to walk away with all three points. However, as is the case with football, all it took was one lapse of concentration and Senamuang’s men were back in the game. Such was the turnaround in fortune for both … Continue reading Iraq vs. Jordan – Match Preview – 03/10/2015

Unknown's avatarHassanane Balal1 Comment