AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023/ Iraq's Coach Admits Difficult Win against Vietnam, Happy with Full Points

Doha, January 24 (QNA) - Coach of the Iraqi national football team, Jesus Casas, expressed his happiness with the victory achieved by the national team over Vietnam in their match on Wednesday at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in the third and final round of Group D of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.
   Casas said at the post-match press conference that the confrontation was difficult but they were happy with the full score and the lead. He noted that he has changed a number of players in the squad, as his strategy is based on the participation of as many players as possible, and by the end of the tournament most of them will have participated in all the matches.
   He added that the level of the team in general was not as desired and expected, but he will watch the match recording again and identify the negatives and positives.
   Regarding the team he wants to face in the qualifying rounds, he said that he must be prepared to meet any team, whether it is Thailand or Oman, and perhaps their level is similar to the level of the Iraqi team, but the focus must be good in any match they will play.
   As for the chances of Japan and Korea in the tournament, he argued that all opportunities and possibilities remain open, even though there are favorite teams such as Iran, Australia, South Korea, and Japan, which are the most fortunate after Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and then Iraq and Oman, so winning the title will not be easy.
   Casas said that the team was under pressure in the first half, but played with relative balance despite the Vietnam team leading by one goal. In the second half, the players were more determined to excel, control and reach the opposing team's goal, and they succeeded in scoring despite missing a penalty kick, as they did not give up until the last minutes.
   He indicated that the next stage in the knockout rounds will be difficult, and with the end of each stage, the effort will be doubled until reaching the final match, and this requires doubling the focus. (QNA)