Iraq Has Not Released Ahead Of The Match Against The Indonesian National Team In The 2023 Asian Cup, It Turns Out That This Is The Reason

One of the Iraqi national team players in the training session. (Instagram @iraq.ifa)

JAKARTA - The Iraqi national team is known to have not announced the list of players they have brought to the 2023 Asian Cup to face the Indonesian national team. This news is known from one of the coaches from Iraq, Saad Hafez.

Quoted from Winwin, on Tuesday, December 26, Hafez said that the coach of the Iraqi national team, Jesus Casas, had not released his player's name. This is because the choices of various strikers are one of the reasons.

In addition, Hafez also mentioned that Casas is a person who tends to avoid mass media reports. Casas, who has experience as a Barcelona scout, and the Spanish national team assistant, prefers to work in silence.

The Iraqi national team's level is very diverse and there are some technical differences between them. On the other hand, Casas is a realistic coach and his statement is so logical because Iraq is a candidate to win the Asian Cup," Hafez said.

"The reason for delaying the announcement of the final list is because the coach is careful in making choices. Because Casas is confused by the situation and he wants to make realistic choices and doesn't want to be pressured by the public and the media," added Hafez.

Until now, the Iraqi national team has not announced the squad for the 2023 Asian Cup. Even though they will start the Asian Cup by facing the Indonesian national team in the preliminary round of Group D on January 15.

The Iraqi national team has several options to fill the front lines. The three names called strong candidates are Ayman Hussein, Muhammad Ali, and the third caste club player in the Premier League Wimbledon, Ali Al Hammadi.

Having a player playing in the Premier League like Ali Al Hammadi can be a plus for the squad nicknamed the Mesopotamian Lions. But on the one hand, he will face fierce resistance from Justin Hubner, Elkan Baggott, and Jordi Amat who are also experienced in British competitions.

"Casas enjoys the trust of Iraqis and he must believe in himself and his assistant. I believe he has confidence and can strengthen his performance by not paying attention to the media. He must continue to try to win titles," said Hafez.