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Iraq captain remains upbeat

Players of the teams placed in Group B of the Gulf Cup have expressed confidence over winning the trophy. Iraqi captain Younus Mahmoud said that winning the silver medal in the Asian Games last month has motivated them to excel.

  • By Yasir Abbasher, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:36 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Players of the teams placed in Group B of the Gulf Cup have expressed confidence over winning the trophy.

Iraqi captain Younus Mahmoud said that winning the silver medal in the Asian Games last month has motivated them to excel.

"Iraq has a glorious history in the Gulf Cup. We have won the title three times and winning again will not be a surprise. The Asian Games silver makes us believe in our capabilities," Younus said.

"Winning is a bonus and gives pleasure to our people who live in unsafe situations back home. We hope that we can make them happy." Younus, who played for Al Wahda Club here three seasons ago, now plays professionally in Qatar.

Meanwhile, two Saudi players had conflicting views on their country's chances.

Al Hilal's Mohammad Al Shalhoub said that they had arrived in Abu Dhabi to win the title. "We have a good team and we are ready to win the title. We are qualified to win the cup," he said.

But teammate Yasir Al Qah'tani said Saudi Arabia's chances of a semifinal were poor. "We will be competing against Qatar, who won the gold medal in the Asian Games last month, silver medallists Iraq as well as Bahrain. I believe that our chances are not bright."

Bahrain's Alaa Hubail confirmed that his team were optimistic of winning the Cup. "We have an equal chance to win the title like any other team," he said.

"Our preparations were short because of the obligations of the professionals with their clubs outside Bahrain but it was enough for us to compete for the title."

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