Manama: Iraq coach Hakeem Shaker is bracing himself for a tough semi-final clash against Gulf Cup hosts Bahrain on Tuesday, after topping Group B unbeaten after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Yemen.
While The Lions of Mesopotamia recorded three straight wins against Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Yemen, Bahrain struggled through as runners-up in Group A with a draw, a loss and a win against Oman, UAE and Qatar, respectively.
Despite this, the Iraq coach isn’t taking any chances against the hosts who have benefited greatly from their home support. Stadiums have been packed for Bahrain’s matches and the atmosphere has often appeared to daunt their opponent into submission.
“The next game in the second round is going to be tough, especially when you face the hosts,” said Shaker. “The public is behind them and they are a prepared and skilled team that looks fully able to seize the privileges of being hosts.
“If football has taught us anything it’s that, in your own surroundings, nothing is impossible. Only what happens on the pitch in the next match can decide who deserves to get into the final. I would have preferred to have played Qatar to avoid the hosts and their supporters who will want and expect to go all in the way in their own competition.”
Of the Yemen result, where Durgham Esmail converted from a free-kick 16 minutes in and Hammadi Abdullah rounded the keeper before the interval, Shaker said: “We’re satisfied that we achieved our target of full points and minimum losses in terms of injuries and yellow cards, in order to stay ready for the next game.”
The match was academic with Yemen already out after two consecutive losses and Iraq already through, but that didn’t stop Yemen coach Tom Saintfiet playing for pride. “That was our worst match in the competition with players brought in for the last half hour not fighting as required,” said Saintfiet.
“In previous matches, I tried to distance myself from talking about referees but today’s ref made mistakes that led to the two goals. I’m not happy to exit the competition without a point, but I thank the players for all their efforts and I am proud of them,” he added.
