Casas: I Prefer To Play Tight Matches At Home / More

Baghdad / NINA / -This morning, Wednesday, the press conference was held by the national team coach, Jesus Casas, and the player Amjad Atwan, regarding the match between our national team and Jordan tomorrow, Thursday, in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Casas pointed out at the beginning of his speech to the importance of this match, and that the two teams have the same number of points, and winning this match does not mean qualification, but the winner will have the advantage.

Casas explained: The national team is ready, as the league was stopped in order to give the players the opportunity to join, and the professionals joined according to each player and his obligations, and we do not accept excuses during this important stage before entering the anticipated confrontation.

 Casas talked about the public support, stressing: The Iraqi fans are aware and understanding, and they must support and provide support at various moments, whether the moments when we are superior or the times that will be difficult, or the competitor may be superior.

Regarding the psychological and physical aspects, he explained: The team is well prepared, and better than the previous rounds, whether in the psychological or physical aspect, as I do not hide that the physical situation in the first rounds was not as required.

He explained: The match has some pressure on both teams, but I prefer that we play the compressed matches on our home ground.

Casas added: We talked with our players about the strengths and weaknesses of our competitor, and our study of the competitor, and in any case the situation now is different, and it cannot be compared to our match in the Asian Cup, and in any case the competitor is a respectable team that reached the Asian final, and will be a strong competitor with us, and one of them (Iraq, Jordan) will qualify for the World Cup.

 Regarding the injury of goalkeeper Jalal Hassan and the possibility of his participation, he explained: The goalkeeper will undergo final tests today, during which the possibility of his participation will be determined, and in any case, even if he does not participate, we have good goalkeepers, and they are essential with their clubs and play matches continuously. 

Regarding the readiness of Ayman Hussein, as he was previously replaced in most of his participations due to injury, Casas explained: This matter depends on the player's condition during the match, and the possibility of implementing the roles, whether offensive or defensive, in addition to readiness. 

For his part, national team player Amjad Atwan explained in the press conference: The match is very important for both teams, and we as players are looking forward to achieving a positive result, and the Jordanian team is a good team, but we aspire to win the match. 

 Atwan added: The technical staff has prepared for this match, and we are striving to focus in order to implement what is required of us, stressing: The presence of experienced players will give a strong incentive to the team, and everyone will be ready, as we consider it the match of a lifetime for us, in addition to the eager fans who are looking forward to watching us achieve victory. /End