Asian Cup 2015: Iraq coach Rahdi Swadi says Aussie weather affecting his side
IRAQ coach Rahdi Swadi says it’s not the surfaces, but rather Australia’s notoriously inconsient weather, that’s disrupting his side’s Asian Cup campaign.
ON loan Iraqi coach Rahdi Swadi didn’t have a bad word to say about Brisbane Stadium’s pitch which has copped a barrage of criticism.
He declared a huge factor at this Asian Cup is the vast weather changes before his side trained in Canberra’s cool 16C windy conditions at Canberra Stadium on Monday night.
Swadi believes Canberra’s weather may have a drastic impact on his side before facing Palestine in the final Group D match on Tuesday night after Iraq played in sweltering hot and humid conditions for its two opening Group D matches in Brisbane.
Swadi claimed all facilities at the Asian Cup have been excellent.
“All the stadiums and even the training venues are good,’’ Swadi said.
“But some are better than others.
“But the problem is that sometimes you go to a very high quality stadium and others are not so good.
“The main problem for us is the weather you know you go to Brisbane where it’s steamy and you come here where it’s cold.”
But Swadi says his reputation could suffer and the pressure on him to deliver Iraq a quarterfinal berth is intense.
Iraq is in the box seat to claim a knockout stage match, sitting currently second with three points behind leader Japan (six points) who face third-placed Jordan (three points) in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Swadi was allowed a leave pass from Qatar Sports Club to coach Iraq.
Iraq sacked its previous boss Hakim Shakir after a disappointing Gulf Cup campaign last November.
“There is more pressure on me, I don’t have a contract from the Iraqi FA,’’ Swadi said before the nation’s familiarisation session.
“A negative result can destroy your name as a coach (at the Asian Cup).
“Being on loan from the club they (the Iraqi squad) have done some good work in short space of time.
“I have worked previously for short periods in the national team but I have to thank Qatar SC for allowing me to coach the national team in this period.
“I’ve been called to serve my country and hopefully we can do something positive.
”Iraq has a positive history and if we qualify for the quarterfinal we ill go for in this competition.”
Iraq claimed the 2007 Asian Cup when it was hosted in four countries – Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand – beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final in Jakarta.
The side beat Jordan 1-0 in its Group D opening match before succumbing to a 1-0 loss to Japan at Brisbane Stadium.
Iraq will miss centre midfielder Alaa Abdul Zahra who has been suspended for the clash after earning two cautions.