Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira will take his team into their clash with Saudi Arabia hoping violence in Baghdad and beyond will not mar the country’s first-ever Asian Cup final.
At least 50 football fans were killed in Baghdad when two car bombs exploded just hours after Iraq’s penalty shootout win over South Korea in the semi-finals.
The incident had a sobering effect on the Iraqi team and their Brazilian coach as they prepared to travel to Jakarta from Kuala Lumpur.
“We can’t say the situation has not affected us,” said Vieira. “It’s not only the players but me too because I am part of the family and the same feelings they have for the people are for me too.
“It was very hard for us. It was a time to celebrate, not to die. But with my experience in Brazil, these things happen there too – not car bombs but fighting, and this is not normal. This is football, we can’t say so many things.
“We have to be safe but we have to continue because life continues and we want to play to be champions and we hope that no-one dies because we became the champions. That is what we wish.”
The Iraqi team has not been untouched by the violence, with the brother-in-law of goalkeeper Noor Sabri killed before the tournament started and midfielder Hawar Mulla Mohammed’s step-mother dying in an explosion days ahead of the quarter-final win over Vietnam.
But despite it all, Iraq have been one of the most impressive performers at the tournament, topping Group A to make it through to the quarter-finals, where they defeated Vietnam 2-0 to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time in 31 years.
A 4-3 penalty shootout win over South Korea earned them their berth in the final against the Saudis and Vieira is aware just how demanding the task will be against the three-time winners.
“It will be a tough game, it’s a final with two good teams,” said the South American. “Saudi have the best attack with 13 goals and we have the best defence with only two against.
“But lots of goals doesn’t mean anything because sometimes quantity is not quality. I hope my boys can do the same work as they have from the beginning because they deserve to be in the final.
“They have worked very hard from the beginning, fighting against many things. We have so many problems but the prize is today, Inshallah.
“The most important thing is that we have reached the final for the first time in Iraqi football. The people are happy and we have accomplished what the people wanted.
“When I signed the contract in Amman, I promised to give the people more smiles and more happiness in their lives and today will only be the compliment if we do, Inshallah.”
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