Can the Spaniards score five again today? Only time will tell. Not much of a preview forthcoming, although everyone's been a little up in arms about the Xabi-on-Cesc violence in training yesterday (less people care about Albert Riera injuring Santi Cazorla, although considering the little fella made the starting XI today, I'm guessing he's fine).
Lineups and liveblog after the jump. Let's do this!
SPAIN (4-1-3-2):
Casillas (c) - Capdevila, Pique, Marchena, Sergio Ramos - Xabi Alonso - Mata, Xavi, Santi Cazorla - Villa, Torres.
Subs: Albiol, Puyol, Pablo, Fabregas, Sergio, Diego Lopez, Llorente, Guiza, Riera, Arbeloa, Silva, Reina.
IRAQ (5-1-3-1):
Mohammed K. - Basem, Ali Hussein, Fareed M., Mohammed Ali, Salam - Muayad - Hawar, Nashat (c), Samer - Alaa A.
Subs: Noor, Salih, Imad, Luay, Abdul Wahhab, Younus, Karrar, Dara, Mahdi, Isam, Oday, Halkor M.
0 mins: Everyone's out on the pitch, the fucking vuvuzelas are blaring, and the awesomely named Matthew Breeze from Australia is the ref.
Apparently Fernando Torres is atop the Castrol Index currently (according to the Confederations Cup official website), whatever that means. Meanwhile, John Harkes and JP Dellacamera are in the booth, and that's not as bad as it could be.
2 mins: A subdued, gentle start as Spain do their training ground passing without much difficulty early on. Torres gets the ball in midfield with his back to goal and spins off his marker with ease, though he's closed down at the edge of the box.
Iraq clear a cross from Capdevila and enjoy some possession of their own.
3 mins: Xavi tries to beat the offside trap with a long ball forward for Villa, but it bounces softly all the way to Mohammed K. in the area.
4 mins: A battle for the midfield is emerging, hopefully with no bloodshed. Torres tries to beat the trap but the through-ball is too long and runs out for a goal kick. Fernando is really slacking thus far; nearly 5 minutes gone and no goals to speak of. He'll have a hard time matching his 3-in-17-mins from the other day.
David Villa enjoys one stepover too many after getting himself a yard of space in the area. Instead of trying to square it, he dilly-dallies and three Iraqis relieve him of possession.
6 mins: The Spanish approach is obvious: use the high Iraqi defensive line to spring that offside trap wherever possible. Alonso tries to pick out Mata, but the winger timed his run a fraction early and gets flagged. Marginal call, and a sign that Iraq will not be able to stop them for 90 mins in that respect.
8 mins: Inexplicably, the first actual shot of the game is from Santi Cazorla, and it's not particularly good; he cuts in from the right with his marker missing in action, and shoots rather weakly on his left foot. Mohammed K. is grateful for the simple save.
10 mins: Iraq have a shot (didn't see who it was; Casillas fell on it easily anyway), and then Spain get a free-kick in a dangerous spot on the right edge of the box as Santi Cazorla is felled like a redwood. After some trickery by Xavi and Villa, it falls to Capdevila to actually shoot, but the Iraqi wall holds up.
13 mins: A bit sleepy at the moment, as Iraq's midfield appears to compress into the backline every time Spain enter the attacking third. Torres then gets a little greedy; after snipping the ball off Cazorla's foot, he drags a shot well wide from the edge of the box with Cazorla clamoring for the return pass to set him free. Iraq's shaky backline lives to fight another day.
@Tuffy -- yeah, I think those jokes should die. I'm looking for more veiled war references at this point.
15 mins: Spain win a corner! Mata steals the ball from Nashat in the middle and scurries goalward. He finds Torres who holds it before spreading it wide for Capdevila, and his cross is blocked out by Mohammed Ali. Nevermind, as the corner swings in and Torres' header is wide of the back post.
17 mins: Great chance for Spain! Xavi and Torres play a lovely one-two, and Torres is clean on goal. Mercifully for Iraq, Mohammed K. comes off his line and does enough with his dive to put the Spaniard off his rhythm, and the ball goes out for a goalkick. Still, Spain are turning the screws slowly but surely. Goal forthcoming within the next 10, I'd say. This Iraqi technique of playing 10 behind the ball as if they were Sunderland at Old Trafford will not last!
The midfield is not really being contested. You can bet it would be if it were elections! Heyo!
/xenophobe
20 mins: Based on the amount of gusto displayed by vuvuzela blowers all around the stadium, you'd think South Africa would be producing some excellent jazz. These guys have the lungs and cheeks of Dizzy Gillespie!
Torres gets hauled down some 35 yards out, and Xavi decides to shoot/cross for goal. Mohammed K. gathers easily. Then Sergio Ramos does a good job of dispossessing Ali Hussein, but not without fouling him first. D'oh.
24 mins: zzzz already? Say it ain't so. Spain are doing well to hurry Iraq out of possession in the midfield, but they're not able to do much with it as soon as Iraq shoves all personnel behind the ball. Spain attack trying to dodge the white-shirted, hard-tackling landmines, but so far it's all in vain, a fool's errand.
I am impressed that Iraq are just man-marking Torres and Villa thus far.
GO-ALMOST! Sergio Ramos plays a sexy cross into the box, bamboozling Mohammed K and rooting him to his line... the ball sets up wonderfully for Villa, but he sidefoots his volley into the side-netting. For shame, David, for shame. And to think you're angling for a summer transfer. You will end up in the French Ligue 1 with profligacy like that!
31 mins: Sorry folks, stepped out as my son needed a diaper change. If I vanish at any point, that's likely where I am. Meanwhile, I've missed not a whole lot on the pitch. Spain continue to knock at the door but Iraq aren't letting 'em in.
33 mins: The most dangerous thing for Iraq to defend thus far has been Ramos' crossing of the ball. He floats in another peach of a cross that Muayad heads out for a corner. Nothing doing from the set-piece.
Spain are flooding the box but finding no room to work; that's what happens when eleven Iraqis crowd the area themselves.
36 mins: Spaniards are lining up to shoot, but they're all getting in each other's way. Torres is the latest to fluff a chance and lose possession.
38 mins: Xabi Alonso gets a yellow card for barging through the back of Salam in pursuit of a loose ball. Iraq botch the free-kick completely.
44 mins: Still no way through for Spain (as I feed the boy)... I enjoyed the play-acting by both Torres (c'mon friendo, you ran into the guy's shoulder!) and Mohammed K (Ramos didn't even touch your face, you pansy) either side of that headed chance on goal. The longer this remains scoreless, the more frustrated Spain must be getting.
Now they're comparing Iraq's boring gameplan to that of Chelsea when they went to Barcelona in the Champions League. A bit harsh, that. Iraq are clearly trying harder than the Blues did.
HALF TIME: Spain 0, Iraq 0
I've seen better.
Back in 15 for the second half. I may do a Goals Dance on the deck outside in the interim. Most likely, I'm changing another poopy diaper. To complete the analogy, Spain's attacking thus far has been as inconsistent as baby poo. Something ain't clicking (and no, Precious Roy, it's not the absence of Fabregas).
49 mins: And I'm back. Torres can't leap high enough to direct a header goalward, but the second half begins much like the first ended; Spain are trying in vain to get round the back, and they're not creating many chances.
What we have here in Iraq is Greece 2.0, a well-drilled, well-organized team that knows how to do one thing, and one thing only: choke the life out of their opponent. They'll make the semis on form like this.
David Villa gets caught marginally offside, but no matter as his shot ended up in the heavens anyway.
And John Harkes takes time to utter the first truly dumb comment of the day... I'm paraphrasing, but basically the thing that's stopping Spain from scoring is the absence of a guy like Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguese) or Lionel Messi (Argentinian)... I think they managed just fine in Euro 08 and on Sunday without those two. Sometimes the creativity just doesn't show up.
52 mins: Another half-chance for Spain, as Mata gets a wayward volley blocked out for a corner. Impressed by Iraq's ability to make this game boring thus far.
WONDERFUL CHANCE FROM THE SET PIECE! It's just not David Villa's day, is it? The corner is taken short to Santi Cazorla, and his swung-in cross, with four Spaniards lurking to nod it in, is guided right into Mohammed K's hands by Villa.
Iraq stride down the other end and win a free kick as Marchena body-checks Alaa A. Would have been a nice screen in basketball.... not a bad effort by captain Nashat, but it's low and wide of Casillas' near post. Still, it counts as a shot on goal.
55 mins: GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL, and finally David Villa gets a header right. Iraq were caught static in the middle as Capdevila overlaps Mata and puts a lovely cross into the six-yard box... the Iraqi center-backs Salam and Ali Hussein let David Villa set up camp right between them, and he leaps unchallenged to glance it inside the far post. Mohammed K. had no chance. Will this force Iraq to have a go at goal themselves? Spain 1, Iraq 0
58 mins: Xavi to Xabi from the corner, and Alonso's low rocket shot is well held by Mohammed K. Think that goal broke Iraqi spirits, and the second is coming..
66 mins: Sorry to the few readers -- had to wake up LB jr's mum for feedy time.
Spain are generating tons of possession and pressure - Torres just went close as nary an Iraqi felt to chase down the long ball, and then Villa gets mauled in midfield trying to kickstart something.
Sub for Spain: Santi Cazorla off, David Silva on. Like for like.
Ramos is not tall enough to reach Mata's overhit, drifting cross from wing to wing. Sloppy from Spain. Then Ramos does well to step in and relieve Alaa A. of the ball.
69 mins: Xabi Alonso shoots from distance again, but it's always slicing over the bar. Spain are reduced to shooting from range as Iraq's defense is relatively compact.
Sub for Iraq: Hawar off, Karrar on. I presume this means something to someone. Ol' Bora working his bag of tricks again!
Mata's not been very good. Spain are camping in the Iraqi third, trying to string together some passes. Mata gets it front and center, but duffs a shot wide right from 20 yards. Disappointing. Like I said three sentences ago, he's not been very good.
COMMENT NATION: Thoughts about tomorrow morning's game? We'll be liveblogging... you'll be up for that one, right?
@Tuffy -- I noted in my Iraq preview that they would bring a well-organized squad to the competition, and they should qualify for the knockout stage. I don't see NZ beating them, but with both the Kiwis and Springboks being so awful, I'd imagine they'd make the next round with three draws.
73 mins: Great chance for Iraq to equalize! I missed who it was taking the shot, but it was narrowly wide of Casillas' goal. Spain surge forward again, but the 9 Iraqis in and around the area are able to snuff out the danger.
Bit crap this game, innit?
Sub for Spain: David Villa off, Daniel Guiza on. Another like for like move by Del Bosque.
76 mins: Still no breakthrough for Spain to really feel comfortable in this one. Iraq break down the left with Karrar, but he tumbles to the turf like a pile of wet laundry under minimal pressure from Marchena, in search of a free-kick. Matthew Breeze is not easily fooled. Need to be a strong bluster to get his attention.
All puns aside, Mr. Breeze has had little to do in this one. He is almost certainly not winded from his exertions.
79 mins: Mata, Mata, Mata.... tsk tsk tsk. He has a bit of room to run onto a throughball in the box, and he blasts a left-footed shot right at Mohammed K. with half the goal to aim at. Awful finishing from the winger.
Final Sub for Tora Bora: Younus comes on to replace Alaa A., I think.
As that's happening, Del Bosque dusts off his final replacement: Sergio Busquets is about to replace someone.
Daniel Guiza blasts a mile wide from a mile out. Not a good way to endear yourself to the masses.
81 mins: Mata fouls someone near the right touchline to cement the truth that he's been rubbish today.
Here's that sub.... Busquets on, Xavi "The Basque Bulldog" Hernandez takes an early shower.
Iraq waste their free-kick from a minute ago, but Karrar dives in front of Sergio Ramos to earn another one. Could we see a shocker here?
....
....
....
No. It's headed clear.
90 mins + 1: Sorry folks, my computer crashed. This has been a dire liveblog, but much like this game, they can't all be as amazing and drama-filled as the doubleheader we saw on Monday. It's been an alternation of Super Spanish Summer Camp around the Iraqi box, and the odd heart-in-mouth breakaway from Iraq.
I promise my efforts tomorrow morning will be much better.
FULL TIME: Spain 1, Iraq 0
A pretty boring, rubbish game in which Spain did the equivalent of trying to fit a square peg through a round hole for 60-odd minutes before Villa's successful header. It didn't get much better after that, either.
Thank God it's over! I'd expect a reserves XI for their final group game now that qualification is assured.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Confederations Cup Liveblog: Spain v. Iraq
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Confederations Cup Liveblog: South Africa v. Iraq
Welcome to J-Burg, South Africa! The 2009 Confederations Cup opens this morning at Ellis Park with the hosts taking on Iraq. If you haven't yet done so, check out our profiles of South Africa and Iraq before we dive in.
Before we begin, 2 notes: (a) considering the squads, much of this liveblog will be taken up by poor attempts to spell the names of the players correctly; and (b) I am officially lodging a protest against both squads for poor numbering schemes on their jerseys.
South Africa gaffer Juelz Joel Santana will start:
GK: Khune (16)
DEF: Gaxa (2); Masilela (3); Mokoena (4 - Captain); Booth (14)
MID: Mhlongo (5); Sibaya (6); Modise (12); Dikgacoi (13)
ST: Parker (17); Fanteni (18)
So, Bafana Bafana run out a straight 4-4-2 formation. Obviously the big surprise here is that Everton's Pienaar starts the match on the bench.
Iraq's gaffer, the ageless Bora Milutinovic, will start:
GK: Mohammed (12)
DEF: Mohammed Ali (2 - insert boxing joke here); Basem (3); Fareed (4); Salam (14); Ali Hussein (15 - relax, it's a common last name)
MID: Nashat (5); Karrar (13); Mahdi (18)
ST: Imad (7); Younus (10 - Captain)
The multi-ethnic Iraqi squad (comprised of Shia, Sunni, and Kurds) run out a 5-3-2 formation, so Bora appears to be starting off defensively.
Now, buckle up because this thing is about to kick.
00:00 - Iraq is apparently running out the youngest and the shortest squad of the Confed Cup. Right up Bora's alley!
00:00 - (taps glass) Anyone out there?
00:00 - According to FIFA.com, the players are out on the pitch. Mere moments away from the opener - feel the excitement!
00:00 - How many people who just saw that commercial have no idea who Messi or Zizou are?
00:00 - Re: Bafana Bafana tactics, apparently Pienaar has a bit of a nick so he is on the bench, but hoping to get some significant minutes. I'm assuming that Mokoena is starting in back in order to bolster a shaky defense. Santana wants his captain to be the rock in the back, as Iraq have already proven that they can score.
00:01 - And we're off!
00:01 - Over/under on number of times we are told that Iraq is out of WC 2010 qualifying, and thus are hanging their hopes on a Confed Cup title: 7. I'm taking the over.
00:01 - Dammit! FIFA lied to me about how Younis was spelled!
00:30 - First attempt at Route 1 from Mhlongo wins S. Africa a deep throw that eventually results in a foul and the first YC of the match to Fanteni.
02:30 - After a 2 minute injury delay while Karrar tried to determine if he could continue, we're off again.
03:00 - Every time Booth (SA) touches the ball the crowd reacts, but I can't tell if they are booing (he is white, after all) or saying "BOOOOOOOOOOOOTH" - aaaaaaaaaand the commentators just confirmed that it's his name being said. Thank goodness for progress!
04:45 - The ball has been mostly in the S. African third of the pitch, but with no real threats from Iraq. Some nice passing goes out for a goal kick and Younis looks around in frustration.
06:30 - Bafana Bafana with some better passing now, and a long ball from Booth into the box is collected by Mohammed.
08:00 - First corner of the match goes to Iraq. The midget squad sets up in the box but the ball is easily headed out for a throw. The result is rather weak, but earns another corner for Iraq. That ball is a little more dangerous is it makes its way through the box, but it is cleared for yet another throw. S. Africa are definitely on the back foot.
10:00 - Blatant dive by Imad, and the ball eventually gets to Khune. His long kick comes out to midfield, where it is collected by Parker for S. Africa's first shot on goal, but it is easily held by Muhammed.
12:00 - A long ball over the top from Iraq causes some confusion between Booth and Masilela, resulting in a throw for Iraq. The ball is sent skyward and Younis fouls Mohammed as both attempt to get up for the ball. The GK sends out what is essentially a goal-kick to midfield, where Modise is called for a foul.
13:30 - S. Africa push forward well, and Sibaya receives the ball in space to lash a shot just wide of the post. There was apparently a deflection, since they are awarded a corner, but the chance is wasted.
15:35 - Some empty seats in the first row. Probably some S. Africa fat-cats who are too busy to make the match, but it still doesn't look good for an opener of a tournament that your country is hosting and in which your national team is playing.
17:30 - More Route 1 footy from S. Africa. It results in a throw, but their best chance on goal so far has come from moving the ball through the midfield. A cross to the back post is sent back in by Gaxa (although it appeared to cross the end-line). They sort it out and Mohammed takes his goal-kick.
19:45 - Some nice passing from S. Africa, but they are eventually dispossessed after failing to get off a shot. They need to find the middle ground between Route 1 footy and too much passing/dribbling.
22:15 - Terrible turnover on defense but S. Africa is able to escape and continue moving forward. A throw comes in to Masilela, but he is stopped. Iraq thought they had a claim for a foul as Booth came in for the tackle to regain possession, but they are allowed to play on.
24:00 - S. Africa are beginning to look sloppy on defense, which will absolutely bite them in the ass if it continues.
26:00 - A free-kick for Iraq is put into orbit by Nashat.
27:00 - Building through the midfield results in a couple of switched fields for S. Africa with an eventual wayward cross going out for a goal-kick.
28:30 - The tone was set early by the tackle and YC, but this match has actually become much more physical over the past 10 minutes and the referee seems content to let them play.
30:00 - Another bad pass out of the midfield for S. Africa results in a throw for Iraq. Mohammed Ali plays the ball into the box, but Imad's first touch lets him down. Iraq retains possession, and Nashat is eventually fouled. The free-kick is into the wall and cleared by Sibaya.
34:00 - Some nice dribbling from Iraq, but Fateni steals the ball off Mahdi before being dispossessed himself. The ball comes back into Fanteni, and Iraq is unable to clear.
36:00 - Parker is able to get off a shot, but it goes just wide. It appeared that Mohammed would have had it covered.
38:00 - Another injury stoppage, as Iraq GK Mohammed appears to have rolled his ankle. He bravely shakes it off and tells the referee that he is able to continue.
41:00 - Mokoena makes an absolute mess of a clearance, but is bailed out by Booth (sign him up, 'Pool!)
41:45 - A free-kick from near the touchline by Modise is cleared by Iraq, but there is no counter-attack to speak of.
42:30 - Tommy Smyth notices that there is a player named Mohammed Ali. The world spins off its axis.
43:00 - A long ball over the top to Imad sends him too far into the corner, and he is dispossessed on his turn.
45:00 + 00:30 - Only 2 minutes of stoppage time, which seems at least 1 minute short. But I'm not the 4th official.
45:00 + 01:10 - Free-kick for S. Africa for at midfield, followed shortly by one for Iraq in almost the same spot for the last action of the half.
Your half-time statistics: (1) shots on goal - S. Africa 3, Iraq 3; (2) offsides - S. Africa 1, Iraq 0; (3) fouls - S. Africa 6, Iraq 5; and (4) corners - S. Africa 2, Iraq 2.
A little montage of USMNT players (alright, just Bocanegra and Timmy Howard) discussing why the Confed Cup is important. They appeared less than enthusiastic. This is followed by the ginger Lalas' ode to Landycakes, which makes me physically ill.
45:00 - And we have the 2nd half kick. S. Africa would probably be content with a draw here, but I think they need a win if they are going to advance.
45:40 - Ali Hussein takes down Gaxa just outside the box. The free-kick swings in, is cleared, and comes back in easily for Mohammed.
48:00 - S. Africa getting deeper into the box (that's what she said), and Parker gets off another shot, but Mohammed had the angle well-covered.
49:30 - Iraq coming down the right side and Booth fends off Younis with his elbow and gets away with it for a goal-kick.
50:45 - A nice through-ball almost releases Modise on goal, but a last-second clearance is made. The throw from Gaxa is wasted.
51:30 - I am endlessly amused by Tommy Smyth discussing these players as if he had intimate knowledge of their skills. Yes, Tommy, I'm sure you watch the Orlando Pirates every week.
52:30 - A long ball over the top to Younis is ushered out by Booth, but Iraq is awarded a corner. The resulting ball is too far to the back post and goes out for a throw.
54:00 - Karrar with a wasted shot from 35 yards out that trickles in to Khune.
57:10 - Some nice work by Sibaya and Modise is wasted as the final touch lets them down and Iraq are able to clear.
59:30 - Some extended passing results in a handball from Basem. The ensuing free-kick from Modise is well-driven, but there is a S. Africa foul in the scramble.
62:00 - A long cross to Imad is wasted, as he is unable to control the ball and it goes out for a throw.
64:00 - Crowd shot of Raymond Domenech, and I projectile vomit.
65:00 - Free-kick for S. Africa bounces around in the air before a clearance, but once again there is nothing resembling a counter-attack.
66:00 - Ali Hussein is forced to play the ball out for a corner, and Modise sends it in for an easy clearance. The set pieces in this match have been rather poor.
67:45 - Salam is forced to play the ball out, and the throw from Gaca comes to Parker, who lays it off for Modise. Unfortunately, the shot skies over the bar.
71:00 - A free-kick for S. Africa results in some shambolic defending followed by a smidgen of offside. Shenanigans from both sides, making this look like a U-14 match.
72:00 - Parker places excellent pressure on Mohammed Ali, and the latter is forced to play it out for a corner. The resulting ball comes in to Fanteni, who gets off an excellent header that just rises over the bar.
73:00 - YC to Nashat for attempting to play the ball while on the ground. This is followed by an Iraqi substitution of Hawar for Karrar.
74:00 - Modise is clipped at the top of the box and this looks dangerous. The free-kick from Modise is straight into the wall, and Mahdi is fouled on the clearance. Iraq make another substitution - Imad off, Zahra on.
76:00 - Substitute Hawar immediately provides some pace, putting pressure on Gaxa. S. Africa makes a sub - Fanteni off, Mashego on.
77:50 - Iraq corner sent in by Nashat is way too far to the back post. Another poor set piece.
78:00 - Best chance of the match so far, as substitute Mashego gets loose but he is stoned by Mohammed. His last touch let him down, as he had the opportunity to chip/dribble the GK.
79:30 - Gaxa streaks down the right side from defense and plays it to Parker in the middle. A beautiful turn and decent pace on the shot, but it goes straight into Mohammed's arms.
80:00 - YC to Sibaya (first name - Macbeth) for an unknown foul.
83:00 - More pressure from Iraq as Alaa sends the ball into the middle. It is pushed out for a throw, which is eventually cleared.
83:30 - Reverse OG! A cross is headed into the net by Gaxa, but it hits Parker and stays out!
84:40 - S. Africa substitution - Pienaar on, Parker off.
87:10 - Younis has Masilela climb his back for an Iraqi free-kick. They make their final substitution, as Mahdi is off for Salih. The free-kick is driven too low and S. Africa break, but Mohammed Ali cleans up the mess.
89:00 - Younis goes down in a heap after Booth dispossesses him from behind, but the ref allows play to continue. S. Africa eventually play the ball out for an Iraq goal-kick.
90:00 + 01:00 - Iraq awarded a free-kick as once again Booth comes through Younis. The ball is played into the corner by Nashat, and eventually Masilela fouls Younis for another free-kick. That ball is played short by Hawar to Nashat, and the Iraqis are content to run it to the corner instead of putting it on goal.
90:00 + 03:00 - The final action of the match is a free-kick taken by Pienaar that is easily cleared.
FINAL - South Africa 0-0 Iraq. MotM for me was Modesi, who had some real pace and was consistent on both sides of the pitch.
Join us again in a few hours when Spectator holds down the fort for the 2nd match of the day.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Iraq Disbands National Team
I've been doing some research and collecting information on Iraqi football lately. Essentially, it boils down to things are really different over in Iraq for many obvious reasons. In fact, much of it is downright scary. Despite knowing that things are less than stable over there, it comes as a complete shock that the Iraqi National Football Team has been disbanded after failing to progess in WC 2010 Qualifiers.
The federation said the national side's failure to reach the later stages of qualification for the tournament in South Africa had disappointed the Iraqi people, and the entire team needed to be rebuilt.Clearly.
"The Iraqi FA has decided to disband the team as of now and also not continue with the services of Adnan Hamad as coach," a federation statement read.
"It is really sad that Iraq lost in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Iraqis are not happy with the results.
The Iraq FA intends to rebuild the team for the FIFA Confederations Cup. But, it just seems so odd to completely dismantle it. I hope the best for the Iraqi team, the nation could use some positive news. Read more on "Iraq Disbands National Team"...
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