Baghdad – IA – Fatima Rahma
Former Kuwait national team goalkeeper Abdul Redha Abbas confirmed that the Iraqi team has developed a lot over the past three years by up to (180) degrees from its previous level, and is qualified to reach advanced stages in the Asian Cup currently being held in Qatar.
Abbas said in a statement to the (INA): “The Iraqi team and its players, and through my observations of the Iraqi Stars League, have reached the level of (75) percent of their real level, and this is a tremendous step that is credited first to the Iraqi government for the support provided by the state.” The Prime Minister and the Iraqi Federation, secondly, after putting the right man in the right place, and here I mean coach Casas, and also involving professional Iraqi players abroad.”
He added, “The chances of the Iraqi team in the Asian Cup currently being held in the State of Qatar may reach 60 percent, as it will pass through the round of 16, then the round of 8, and reach the round of 4.”
He explained, “The last Gulf Championship, in which the Iraqi team won the title, was not easy at all. It was the beginning of the Iraqi team’s launch, and this victory came only after strenuous work by the government, the Iraqi Federation, and by the players, as well as coach Casas and his technical staff.”
Regarding his opinion about the experience of the Iraqi Professional Stars League, Abbas said, “This experience is very bold and successful if implemented in the optimal way, and what an excellent decision the Iraqi government has taken by supporting and assisting the clubs to enter the world of professionalism and preparing all the requirements for the success of this mission, including the (VAR) system.” With his presence, things were completed to produce a successful professional league, all of which were factors that helped make this a success.”
Regarding the Iraqi stadiums, he stated, “The surprise was here, through my observations of all the Iraqi stadiums in Baghdad, Basra, Karbala, and Najaf. These infrastructures are the ideal investment for developing Iraqi sports, not just football, and these facilities are one of the reasons for the success of the Star League and the progress of Iraqi football.”