Tehran: Iraq go into Tuesday's clash with Japan having seen their hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 extinguished after a tough and, at times, incredibly unlucky campaign.
But under new manager Basim Qasim, results have been steadily improving and the feeling in the camp is positive, as the-AFC.com found out when speaking to Ali Adnan ahead of the Group B encounter in Tehran.
Q: Can you describe the mood in the squad since the new manager, Basim Qasim, came in?
Qasim has made many tactical changes and there is a new atmosphere within the team. We were very unlucky in the previous matches but I’m sure from now on we will have a new shape in the team and a new era. We will aim to make the match against Japan the start of a new period of success.
Q: What are your overall views on Iraq’s qualifying campaign?
Against Australia at the beginning of the campaign we didn’t play very well but against Saudi Arabia in Malaysia we conceded two late penalties and we also didn’t deserve the defeat against Japan in the dying minutes of the match. We played very well against Thailand when we beat them 4-0 and in some of the other matches too, but in general I think we have been unlucky.
Q: Does the close game in Tokyo give you confidence ahead of Tuesday’s game?
In the last two games against Jordan and Korea (1-0 and 0-0) we had good results and we also had a lot of newcomers in the team who are very young and very skillful. We are determined to prove ourselves so I think it’s very possible to get a win against Japan on Tuesday.
Q: You’ll be up against Keisuke Honda on Tuesday. Do you have much experience against him in Serie A?
Of course Honda is a great player, which he must be to play for one of the biggest teams in the world like AC Milan. I’ve only played against him once in Serie A, but for Tuesday’s match I will not only focus on him but the whole of the Japanese team. He is not the only opponent in the match. I have to face the whole Japanese team and do my best in this match.
Q: Do you think other Iraqi players will follow you to Europe?
We have many young players who deserve to play in Europe but they need more focus from the media and agents. I think they are good enough to play for European teams and in the future they will prove that.
Q: How has your game developed since moving to Udinese?
It’s fantastic to play for a very famous team like Udinese, who are known for attracting young talents. I was focused on Udinese since I was playing in Turkey but I couldn’t join them after my first season.
Later I joined them and I have had a very good chance to develop myself and they have given me optimism about the future. I hope other Iraqi players will join me at Udinese.
Q: How do you share your Serie A experience with your Iraq teammates?
I’m in one of the best leagues in the world, so the more disciplined I get from playing there the more focus there should be on me. The Iraqi players in Europe should be an inspiration for the other players.
When I come back and play against Australia and Saudi Arabia, I need to be at my peak to prove that I should be followed by the rest of them. I hope to be an inspiration to my teammates.
Q: Dhurgham Ismail has followed you to Europe and is now at your former club Rizespor. He plays in the same position as you and is the same age, so is there rivalry between the two of you?
Firstly, I would like him to return from injury soon. It’s rare that two left-backs from the same country move to the same club. I think he’s one of the best left-backs in the Middle East and deserves to play at a top club.
The competition is good for our team, but we are not interested in taking each other’s place. He plays left-back, I play left-wing. All I want to do is help my team and give 100%. I wish success for Dhurgham and hope he joins us again soon.
Q: How have you adapted to life and the culture in Italy?
Of course it was very difficult at the beginning but the players who speak English helped me very much. I had to adapt very quickly into society so I went to school to learn Italian.
I wanted to learn about Italian society, to know their culture and what they are thinking about. So now I think it is better than the beginning.
Q: Do you have any funny stories about adapting to life in Italy?
Udinese like the players to be one family. I remember in one training session there was a little tension between me and one of the other players. Then the next day it was his birthday, not mine, so I bought a big cake and took it to the training ground and we had a big celebration.
I wanted to express my friendliness towards him and remove any tension, but everyone thought it was my birthday.
Q: What do you think of the Italian food?
Of course pizza and pasta is the most famous, but I like risotto the best. My favourtie pizza topping is vegetables.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com