jordan pulse -

Iraq’s national team coach, Jesús Casas, emphasized in today’s press conference the significance of the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Palestine, expressing satisfaction with his players' recent training performances.

Casas acknowledged that the previous match against Kuwait was tough, with Iraq failing to deliver the expected performance. He stressed that the Palestine match will not be easy, highlighting their strong attacking line, which requires high levels of focus from the entire team. He pointed out that defensive responsibility is a collective effort, not just the defenders' duty.

Regarding Palestine’s defense, Casas dismissed the notion that it is weak, arguing that any team capable of holding South Korea to a draw must have a solid defensive system.

Discussing Iraq’s style of play, Casas emphasized that ball possession, passing, and movement between the flanks and midfield are the core principles of his game plan.

Addressing criticism over his reliance on Ayman Hussein in attack, Casas clarified that he only used him in the Jordan match, adding that team statistics a varied approach in other games.

The Spanish coach also touched on the challenges he faced since taking charge of Iraq, stating that certain non-professional aspects have been improved.

Casas stressed that Iraq controls its own fate in securing first or second place in the group, unlike teams like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which depend on other results.

He concluded by stating that the support he received was not for him personally but to facilitate the integration of Iraqi professional players abroad into the national team. He emphasized that his departure would not affect the team’s progress, as the priority is the future of Iraqi football, not just the coach.