Top-notch football returns to Iraq after decades as Basra is all set to stage the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup which kicks off today with eight teams vying for top honours.
The organisers have announced complete readiness to host the tournament which will return to the country – affected by war, invasions and instability – for the first time since 1979.
“Sports has become one of the most important activities in the world… of transmitting cultures and civilisations through hosting tournaments and competitions, and this is what we witnessed in Qatar’s organisation of the FIFA World Cup,” head of the competitions committee of the Iraq Football Association (IFA) Haider Aufi told the local media.
“It is a step forward to retain Iraq’s normal position in the fields of sport, culture and society,” added Basra Governor Asaad Al Eidani. “It is a message to the whole world that we are capable.”
The competing teams divided into two groups will play matches at Basra International Stadium and the new 30,000-seater Al Minaa Olympic Stadium with final to be played on January 19.
Hosts Iraq, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Oman are in Group A while Asian champions Qatar, 10-time champions Kuwait, defending champions Bahrain and the UAE comprise Group B.
Iraq, the three-time winners, will take on Oman in the opening match at the Basra International Stadium with kick off set for 7pm.
“We are proud to play in front of our fans and this will help us greatly. We hope that we will be as ambitious as the fans,” Iraq coach Jesús Casas told a pre-match press conference yesterday.
“We are aware of the importance of this tournament from the first moment and we will spare no effort in giving our best,” the Spaniard was quoted as saying on the tournament’s website.
Casas said the Lions of Mesopotamia were eyeing a positive start to the tournament in front of home fans.
“Oman are tough side that also won the second last edition of the Gulf Cup. We studied their strengths and we will try to find the best way to confront,” he said.
Oman coach Branko Ivankovic, meanwhile, said the Reds are targeting a third crown after winning the tournament in 2009 and 2017-18.
“We are entering the tournament with high ambitions with respect for all our opponents,” Ivankovic said yesterday.
“Both the groups are tough and it is going to be a difficult challenge for us. Iraq are difficult opponents who will be playing in front of their homes fans but we are ready,” he added.
Saudi Arabia take on Yemen
Fresh from their memorable FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar where they shocked eventual champions Argentina, three-time champions Saudi Arabia will also play their opening match today when they will take on Yemen.
The Falcons, who will be coached by U-23 coach Saad Al Shehri, will start as one of the favourite sides to win the crown.
Al Shehri said the opening match against Yemen will be important for his team’s run in the eight-nation event.
“Yemen are a developing side but they pose a challenge in our first match. We have prepared well to achieve our goals and we will go step by step in the group stage,” he said.
“Our current team is a combination of players from the Olympic team and the national side, and our target is to win the trophy,” he added.
Yemen coach Miroslav Skop hoped the team will overcome lack of preparation ahead of the event and give a strong performance against top-ranked teams.
“For several reasons, some players have not played international or local friendly matches for a year and a half, and now we are facing the best Gulf teams. We went to a camp for five weeks in Egypt, and the players performed the training perfectly. The real level will appear after the first meeting,” he said.
“Although it’s a second string Saudi side they will be tough as their players have great capabilities,” he added.
Qatar to begin campaign tomorrow
Three-time champions Qatar, who reached Basra on Wednesday, will begin their campaign against Kuwait in their opening match at Al Minaa Olympic Stadium tomorrow.
It will be a new look Al Annabi side – coached by Portuguese Bruno Pinheiro – after the team management rested senior players for the tournament following the World Cup.
Qatar will meet defending champions Bahrain in their second match on January 10 before playing their last Group B game against the UAE on January 13.
The semi-finals of the tournament will be played on January 16.
