Iraq hope to get lucky against mighty Mali in round of 16

MARGAO
It is a FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 Round of 16 match-up at Nehru Stadium on Tuesday of teams coming into a game with contrasting form patterns.
While Iraq, the reigning AFC U-16 Championship winners are smarting from a 0-4 reverse against England in their last Group F game, Mali, the U-17 African Cup of Nations, after a first game reverse to Paraguay (2-3), registered authoritative victories in their ensuing Group B clashes against Turkey (3-0) and New Zealand (3-1). If form can be a denominator, the 8 pm clash at Fatorda promises an appetising encounter to lap up with Continental champions head-on. While Mali aim to better on their runner-up showing in Chile 2015, Iraq aim to revel on their first appearance beyond the Group Stage in only their second appearance at
this level.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the match, Qahtan Jathir, the Iraq gaffer was optimistic of his side's chances against the African continental champions. Braving from their drubbing against the young England Lions, Jathir said they will change their tactics accordingly and play a better game in the knock-out stage. "They (Malians) are physically bigger than our players and are good. We will do our best and hope to get lucky and qualify to the next round," Jathir hoped.
The loss of an influential player Mohammed Dawood to a match ban may be huge setback for their side which banks heavily on the forward to score goals, and all the more so against the strong West African outfit. But Jathir preferred to not cower from the setback. "Our team plays as a group. Mohammed (Dawood) is a very important player in our team but he is only a member of the whole group. For the next match, we have a player who can replace him and all will do well (on Tuesday)," he nonchalantly said.
His Malian counterpart, Jonas Komla meanwhile was respectful of his opposition. "Both the teams deserved to be here. Iraq is a very strong team and we hope we can win on Tuesday," he stated.
Aware that Iraq's Dawood cannot play in the crucial match owing to suspension, the Malian coach said that it was unfortunate for his side's opponents. "With or without the player (Dawood) it does not change our style of play. We will adopt our philosophy in the game while fully respecting them," Komla said.
The sides may have their own share of internal issues ahead of the big match from suspension to loss of match practice, but that said it is a foregone conclusion that they would prefer to keep their cards close to their chest. Only time will tell who will come up with the aces on match day.