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WORLD CUP:Iraq turn to trusted leader

/noticias.info/ Emotional is not a word usually associated with Adnan Hamad, who has kept a low profile during his 14-year coaching career. But the former striking great could not hide his delight at being appointed Iraq coach for the fifth time in eight years last week.

"My return to the national post has nothing to do with fame and gain," said the 47-year-old. "It was for the name of Iraq that I eventually accepted the offer at this crucial time."

Despite a successful playing career, it was in a coaching capacity that Hamad made his name at international level. His first tenure in charge of Iraq came eight years ago, a short but sweet period in which he guided the team to third place at the 2000 West Asian Football Federation Championship.

In his second spell, one year later, he led the team into the second round of the Asian Zone preliminaries for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™ but was dismissed following successive defeats by Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Then Hamad enjoyed a memorable third stint in 2002, with Iraq lifting the WAFF Championship trophy.

Hamad stepped into the Iraqi hot-seat again in 2004, and under his astute tutelage they once again prospered. Indeed, his young side reached the knockout phase at the AFC Asian Cup before stunning the watching world by progressing into the semi-finals of the Men's Olympic Football Tournament in Athens.

It came as no surprise, therefore, that the Iraqis turned to Hamad when Egil Olsen was dismissed last month. "Our hearts are with Hamad who showed that he loves his country," said Tariq Ahmed, deputy general secretary of the Iraqi Football Association.

"The decision to ask Hamad to coach the team was made to end criticism after the 1-1 draw with China. We thank Hamad for his patriotic stance."

Last ten the initial target
Hamad's latest appointment came in the wake of Iraq's disappointing 1-1 draw with China PR in their Asian Zone third round opener for South Africa 2010, where they failed to live up to the expectations of being the reigning continental champions. Hawar Mulla Mohammed put Iraq in front six minutes into the second half, before their opponents equalised through Zheng Zhi 15 minutes from time.

The result, coupled with Australia's 3-0 win over Qatar, left Iraq in second place in the pool alongside China. With only the top two finishers advancing to the final stage, Hamad is aware that it will not be easy.

"It is an unquestionably tough group and the opening 1-1 tie with China makes our life even more difficult," Hamad remarked. "So we need to set a more realistic goal for us, which is to qualify from the section either as group winners or runners-up."

Australia and China are considered Iraq's principal challengers for a berth in the Asian Zone's last ten. That is not to say that Hamad and his charges will be taking Qatar, who they will face on 26 March in Doha, lightly.

"It is premature to predict the outcome of the Qatar match," the tactician said. "But we need to keep in mind that they will press us hard as they play at home. The two teams are very familiar with each other and Qatar have very good players." notas_de_prensa_archivo