Iraq plot 'shock' as famous win seals World Cup return after 40 years
Iraq's Australian coach Graham Arnold celebrates with substitute goalkeeper Kumel Saadi after clinching World Cup qualification against Bolivia (Julio Cesar AGUILAR) Coach Graham Arnold challenged his team to "shock the world" after Iraq became the 48th and final team to qualify for the World Cup with a nerve-shredding 2-1 win over Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff in Mexico on Tuesday. Iraq, whose preparations were disrupted by the war in the Middle East, sealed their first appearance at the finals in 40 years and will play in Group I against France, Senegal and Norway. Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein secured a famous win for Iraq, whose last appearance at the World Cup came at the 1986 finals in Mexico.
"With everything going on in the Middle East at the moment it made it harder for the players," said the Australian Arnold, who had initially sought to have the fixture postponed due to the disruption caused by the conflict. "Delighted for the players, very good boys, very happy for the 46 million Iraqis," he added. "Hopefully it will help change the perception of Iraq and the football in Iraq.
Doing something in the World Cup nobody expects us to do. "Let's shock the world. " Because of travel disruption caused by the US-Israel war on Iran, most of the Iraqi squad only reached Mexico after a gruelling three‑day journey from Baghdad that began with an overland crossing into Jordan.
But there was little sign of weariness during a confident start by Iraq, who took the lead after nine minutes through Luton Town striker Al-Hamadi -– the 24-year-old who moved to Liverpool as a toddler following the outbreak of the 2003 Iraq war. Iraq midfielder Amir Al-Ammari won a corner after a superb free-kick that was saved at full stretch from Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra. From the subsequent set piece Al-Ammari curled a pinpoint corner on to the head of Al-Hamadi who nodded home for 1-0.
Iraq were well worth the early goal and looked in control until Bolivia, who had gradually grown into the game, equalized after 38 minutes. Ramiro Vaca's shot from the edge of the area was controlled with one touch by Moises Paniagua and the Morocco-based central midfielder swept into the roof of the net. The goal stunned Iraq and Bolivia looked likely to grab a second after dominating the remainder of the half.