Asian Cup 2015: Iraq coach bemoans lack of recovery time for Iraq quarterfinal
IRAQ boss Radhi Swadi says the AFC should have given more thought to its quarterfinal scheduling, claiming his side is disadvantaged.
IRAQ boss Radhi Swadi says the Asian Football Confederation should have given more thought to its quarterfinal scheduling.
Swadi believes facing Iran in the Asian Cup quarterfinal has definitely disadvantaged his side.
Iraq has 24 hours less time to recover before meeting Iran in the knockout final at Canberra Stadium on Friday.
After beating Palestine 2-0 in Canberra on Tuesday to secure a knockout berth after finishing second in Group D behind leader Japan, Swadi believes Iran is in the box seat despite Iraq not having to travel for the clash.
Iran was forced to move from Brisbane after winning its final Group C clash 1-0 over United Arab Emirates on Monday.
“It’s a definite disadvantage (for Iraq),’’ Swadi said.
“The AFC should have thought about this a bit more.
“The last matches in these groups are very tough matches, they’re very strong matches
“The period of three days (for recovery) is not enough
“But I think we’ve got good young players that can recover in a small period of time, young players in their early 20s, so we’re working to get ready for the next match.”
Iran officials were spotted watching Iraq’s Younus Mahmood and Ahmad Yasin score the goals in the tense victory in Canberra.
Iraq’s Saad Abdulameer who bravely contested a cross when he clashed with Palestine gloveman Tawfiq Abduhammad won the man-of-the match.
Sporting a bruised and bloody nose from the incident Abulameer believes he will be fit for the quarterfinal clash against Iran.
Abdulmeer was destined to seek more medical attention once the side returned to the team hotel in Canberra on Tuesday night.
“We’re happy today we won and we had a good result, it’s something small we can give our country and now we have to forget about today’s match and start thinking about Iran,’’ Abdulmeer said.
“And just regarding my injury it should be OK.”
But with Iraq keen to upset its rival on Friday, Palestine coach Ahmad Al Hasan said his side faced enormous obstacles just to participate at its first Asian Cup.
Although Palestine leaves without a point, scoring one goal and copping 11 in the process Al Hasan says he is proud of his side.
“We have gained a lot of experience for future planning for our team,’’ Al Hasan said.
“Playing under occupation definitely had a deep impact on our preparation.
“We are the only country among the 16 nations that is under occupation.
“It means we don’t have the same resources for example we cannot even get the players to play in one place.
“We have to leave West Bank and Palestine for our training and we have to train in other countries like Jordan.
“And you know when you don’t host a match on your soil and you lose your fans all these factors contribute negatively to our preparation.
“Our message is clear.
The time has come for the Israeli occupation to end and the time has come for the Palestinians to live freely like all the other countries.”