Emad Mohamed returns to lead the youth team in the Asian qualifiers

Baghdad - INA

The administrative director of the youth team, Nadim Karim, announced today, Thursday, that the youth team will leave on September 15 to Thailand to participate in the qualifiers for the Asian finals, led by coach Imad Muhammad, who has completed his international punishment.

Karim told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Our youth team will leave China for Thailand after the end of its training camp in China on September 15," noting that "Our youth team (the Lions of Mesopotamia) continue to conduct their training sessions during the camp currently being held in China, at a rate of two training sessions per day.".

He added that "the camp was successful and achieved its set goals by raising the pace of technical and physical preparation for the players and choosing the most appropriate formation that will represent the team in the upcoming important qualifiers."

He stated that "the team succeeded in achieving victory during its camp over the Chinese Dragon Youth twice 4-3 and 2-1, despite the fact that the Chinese team is one of the strongest teams, and it has played several matches in which it succeeded in excelling, including the South Korean and Iranian teams, while it tied with Uzbekistan." 

Karim confirmed that "coach Imad Muhammad is the one who will lead the team in the upcoming Asian qualifiers after the end of his penalty period from the Asian Federation on the 15th of this month," noting that "Imad Muhammad has not been far from the youth team atmosphere throughout the past period." 

Regarding the professional players, Karim said: “A number of players have been invited to join the national team during the upcoming competitions, namely Adam Talib and Ali Haidar, and we are waiting for their clubs to respond to the Iraqi Federation’s request, but approval will be difficult for their clubs to release the players.”

The youth team will face Brunei on the 25th of this month, meet the Philippines on the 27th, and finally meet the home team and fans, Thailand, on the 29th of this month.