and just two scored, Iraq's FIFA U-17
World Cup adventure is at an end as
early as the group stage. The
tournament debutants were drawn in
a difficult group alongside Sweden,
Mexico and Nigeria, though they were
certainly not there just to make up the
numbers. On the contrary, they
produced more than a few flashes of
class, their only failing being a lack of
cutting edge in the final third.
Indeed, coach Muwafaq Adlool took a
positive view of his squad's campaign:
"We put in three very good
performances, even against Nigeria,
when we lost 5-0. If you concede twice
early on in a game, it's hard to come
back, and you saw how disappointed
the younger, inexperienced players
were. However, we'll still take a lot
from this campaign. It was a good
lesson for the players, the coaching
team and Iraq football as a whole. "I'm delighted that I was able
to score a goal against
Mexico. It was just great to
be a part of this World Cup.
Iraq's Sherko Kareem looks on
the bright side"
"It wasn't an easy group," he
continued. "We played two teams who
had won this competition five times
between them. Still, those are the
games that make you better. You want
to play against those types of players
and see how they play. You learn how
much pressure there is at this level,
what you need to focus on and how
you should prepare yourself. You play
against teams from all over the world,
and that's something that helps a
player grow."
Manu Garba, Adlool's Nigerian
opposite number, was also impressed
with Iraq's plucky and courageous
display, despite the Africans'
handsome victory. "We were helped by
the two early goals, but they're a very
organised unit and they played well. I
think they'll have a bigger part to play
when the next U-20 World Cup rolls
around."
Similar hopes are harboured by Iraq's
captain Mohammed Salam, who spoke
to FIFA.com following the 5-0 defeat to
the Golden Eaglets. "My aim is to be
part of the squad for the next U-20
World Cup, but before that we have the
next qualification tournaments to look
forward to.
Salam vow
"Obviously we're all feeling pretty
disappointed right now, but we're also
proud," he went on. "This was our first
U-17 World Cup and we gave a good
account of ourselves. We might have
lost all three games but football's like
that sometimes. "We're happy and
grateful to have been able to play these
matches. It's a good way for us to
improve ourselves as players."
That Iraq were even able to take their
place among the world's best in this
age group is a result of the country's
impressive advancements in youth
coaching, and is something that should
engender pride in all those concerned.
Before this year's event in the United
Arab Emirates, the Gulf State had been
at the FIFA World Cup™ once, at the
U-20 World Cup on four occasions and
once at the FIFA Confederations Cup.
They can now add appearing at the
U-17 World Cup to their list of
achievements.
This particular crop of talent were not
able to build on the performance of
their seniors, who sensationally
reached the semi-finals of the U-20
World Cup in Turkey back in the
summer. Nevertheless, their
performance in the UAE has given
cause for optimism in the future. "It
was all so new and exciting. I'm
delighted that I was able to score a goal
against Mexico. It was just great to be a
part of this World Cup," said Sherko
Kareem to FIFA.com.
The team's objective had been to reach
the Round of 16, and so elimination at
the first hurdle may, in that context, be
considered a disappointing result. Still,
it should not be forgotten that from
Asia, only Uzbekistan managed to
equal Iraq's feat of qualifying for both
junior World Cups this year.
In a sense, then, 2013 could already be
described as one of the most successful
years in the history of Iraqi football. It
may prove to be the foundation on
which a future can be built, as well as
helping foster the hope that, after a
long period of hardship and war, the
country can flourish once again.
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
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