MARGAO
Warmly welcomed by the hotel staff with a garland embellished with shells and the traditional tikka on their foreheads, the Iraq contingent entered the premises with a smile. Thereon, the cheerful lads had an exclusive photo-op with ‘The Goan' before they retired for a late lunch.
Shortly after arrival at the hotel, the Iraq team Head of Delegation, Zeyad Hamid spoke to this paper. "The team has the ambition and hope to pass the next match (Round of 16) and qualify to the upcoming round (quarter-finals). Our team will prepare well for the big game against Mali (on Tuesday)," Hamid stated.
Given the fact they have fond memories of Fatorda where they are slated to play against the CAF champions, he is optimistic of recreating the joyful scenes of their U-16 AFC Championship finals victory here last year. If playing at the venue will give them an edge over their opposition who have not played here earlier, the team official
begs to differ.
"It would not make a difference as all the centres have similar humidity," he
pointed out.
Their big loss against England in their last Group match notwithstanding, Iraq who banked on their talismanic forward and number 7 Mohammed Dawood for strikes are expected to solely miss him on a suspension for the Round of 16 game against Mali. Dawood, incidentally from their first two outings in the competition, had three of their four goals. And given to the football pundit's perspective, there is no likely replacement that can cause ripples in the opposition rival box with wonderful long ball interceptions and knifing through defences with dexterity, speed and accuracy in bringing fruition to the endeavour.
While conceding that Dawood is an important player in their team's cause, Hamid opined that the Head Coach, Qahtan Jathir, has other ideas and players that can be used to replace the goal-poacher and not let their influential striker's loss be felt. If the thorn in the flesh of rival defences will prick into the already wounded skins of the Lions of Mesopotamia, only Tuesday evening
will determine.
Ambition and hope drives the lions of Mesopotamia
If they were smarting from a whipping 0-4 loss against England in their last Group F match of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup, the young Lions of Mesopotamia feigned that feeling when their team entered a hotel in South Goa on Sunday evening.
