Tag: football

english, Hassanane Balal, Iraq, Iraq Olympics Football, Match Review, Rio2016, Youth Football

RIO 2016 Match Review: Iraq 0:0 Denmark

The Lions of Mesopotamia kicked off proceedings in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 by taking on Denmark in an entertaining first game that somehow failed to record any goals. Prior to kick off, Iraq were seen as major underdogs by both pundits and bookies. 90 minutes later and the team in green had left the Estadio Nacional field with their pride intact following a positive performance. … Continue reading RIO 2016 Match Review: Iraq 0:0 Denmark

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

Rio 2016: Iraq Olympics Draws Held

The Estadio Maracana’s auditorium was host to the Olympics men’s football today, which involved our own beloved Iraq. The tournament sees 16 teams go head-to-head for the much sought medals awarded to the  competition top three finalists. Teams were separated into four separate pots, from which a single team was selected to form the final groups at Rio 2018. After the Lions of Mesopotamiat were placed … Continue reading Rio 2016: Iraq Olympics Draws Held

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english, Iraq, News, World Cup Qualifiers

Iraq World Cup Qualfiers Fixture List

Iraq have been plotted in the ‘group of death’, with them facing the likes of U.A.E, Australia and Japan. The fixtures for the group will commence in September 2016 and conclude the following September. This gives the Iraq FA only six months to organise its national team in order to mount a proper challenge for qualification, something the current side has no hope of doing given … Continue reading Iraq World Cup Qualfiers Fixture List

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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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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?

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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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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

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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

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