Group I - France | Senegal | Iraq | Norway

2 replies · 132 views
24 days ago
Discuss
I'm an optimistic pessimist. 
I'm positive things will go wrong.
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23 days ago · edited 23 days ago · History
Great to see two former A-League coaches guiding teams in this year's WC - Popovic and Arnold.
And both are very much guys who cut their coaching teeth in the A-League.
It's a very nice redemption story involving Graham Arnold losing the Socceroos job part-way through qualifying but quickly bouncing back with Iraq.
Another former A-League coach, Rob Stanton who used to coach Newcastle Jets, is Arnold's assistant.
A-League players who have played for Iraq in qualifiers for this WC:
  • Mohamed Al-Taay: Played for Newcastle Jets, Wellington Phoenix, and Western Sydney Wanderers. Debuted for Iraq whilst a Wellington Phoenix player.
Charbel Shamoon: Western United and currently a Perth Glory player.

Quite likely to be selected by Arnold:
  • Ali Auglah: A current Central Coast Mariners winger and former Aussie age group international who has switched allegiance.
Another A-League player who played for Iraq in the past:
  • Ali Abbas: A prominent figure who played for Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC, and Wellington Phoenix between 2009–2021. He was a member of the 2007 Asian Cup-winning squad.

Big Pete 65, Christchurch

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Endorsed by
coochiee
20 days ago · edited 20 days ago · History
Abbas who played under Arnie at SFC, now is part of the staff with Iraq.
He basically acts as an intrepreter, so Arnold can communicate with the players.

https://www.facebook.com/football360au/posts/this-is-amazing-ali-abbas-played-under-graham-arnold-at-sydney-fc-now-hes-workin/1485581103569457/

Gonna be tough for Iraq though. France, Haaland & co, plus AFCON champs Senegal.
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