Riyadh: Kuwait coach Jorvan Vieira says he has no divided loyalties despite facing his former side Iraq in their opening Gulf Cup group game at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium on Friday (9.15pm UAE).
The Brazilian coach led the Lions of Mesopotamia to Asian Cup glory in 2007 and is regarded as a national hero in the country. But now, as coach of neighbouring record ten-times champions Kuwait, he is keeping his affections to himself ahead of this all-important derby.
“It was true I was with Iraq in 2007, but before everything I am professional and defend whoever trusts in my service,” he said. “The Iraqi players are like sons to me and it’s a pleasure to meet them again, but friends are friends and work is work, it can’t mix.”
Asked if Vieira was at an advantage given his connections to The Lions, he replied: “I know how they play and how they work, of course, but how many players are left over from the national team I worked with? Three. They have a 23-man squad, so that’s 20 new players. This is a new generation.”
In nine Gulf Cup meetings, Iraq edge their rivals with four wins to Kuwait’s three, and the last time they met Iraq beat Kuwait 1-0 in the group stages of the last Gulf Cup.
But, although a tight and often heated affair, Iraq assistant coach Abdul Kareem Salman said The Lions’ adoration of Vieira’s work would help soothe any ill-feeling between the two sides.
“Vieira is a star in Iraq,” he said. “There’s sensitivity there and he is a brother and a friend to us. That will make this a great match, not a vindictive one.
“Obviously there is no such thing as friendly matches, but we respect Kuwait and, beyond the derby, we are brothers. Both sides should respect the result whatever happens.”
