Iraq drawn with Iran in Doha
Source: Agencies |
April 25, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ASIAN Cup holder Iraq was paired with neighbor and arch rival Iran in the draw for the 16-team 2011 finals made in Doha, Qatar, on Friday.
The defending continental champion, which had a four-month FIFA ban lifted last month, will play in Group D along with World Cup-bound North Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
Iraq captured the world's imagination by surprisingly winning the Asian Cup in 2007 but has struggled since.
"If we win again, I will run for president," Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud told reporters.
"We have a tough group. Iran are a tough side as are North Korea, who will have the World Cup experience behind them."
Iraq was banned in November for the second time in 18 months after the country's Olympic committee disbanded its football association and government security forces seized control of the federation headquarters.
Australia, which defected to the Asian competition in 2007 and lost on penalties in the quarterfinals, must face fellow World Cup finalist and Asian heavyweight South Korea in Group C. India and Bahrain make up the group.
Japan and Saudi Arabia, both three-time winners of the tournament, are in Group B with Jordan and Syria.
Host Qatar faces Kuwait, China and Uzbekistan in Group A.
The draw for the 15th Asian Cup was held at the Aspire Academy, the world's largest indoor sports training facility.
The defending continental champion, which had a four-month FIFA ban lifted last month, will play in Group D along with World Cup-bound North Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
Iraq captured the world's imagination by surprisingly winning the Asian Cup in 2007 but has struggled since.
"If we win again, I will run for president," Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud told reporters.
"We have a tough group. Iran are a tough side as are North Korea, who will have the World Cup experience behind them."
Iraq was banned in November for the second time in 18 months after the country's Olympic committee disbanded its football association and government security forces seized control of the federation headquarters.
Australia, which defected to the Asian competition in 2007 and lost on penalties in the quarterfinals, must face fellow World Cup finalist and Asian heavyweight South Korea in Group C. India and Bahrain make up the group.
Japan and Saudi Arabia, both three-time winners of the tournament, are in Group B with Jordan and Syria.
Host Qatar faces Kuwait, China and Uzbekistan in Group A.
The draw for the 15th Asian Cup was held at the Aspire Academy, the world's largest indoor sports training facility.
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