Baghdad – INA
Technical analyst Bassam Raouf affirmed that the national team has gained numerous technical advantages from its recent friendly matches, despite the results achieved. He explained that facing teams with high technical levels represents an important opportunity for optimal preparation for the World Cup.
Raouf stated, "Playing against strong teams before the start of the World Cup gives the coaching staff a clearer picture of the team's capabilities. It also helps in identifying strengths and weaknesses and working to address them before entering the official competitions. He pointed out that the Iraqi national team displayed many positive aspects during the recent matches."
He added, "Coach Graham Arnold has greatly benefited from these matches in assessing the players' abilities, especially the substitutes, as well as testing various playing styles and tactics to suit the nature of the opponents the team will face in the World Cup."
He explained that "the coaching staff is working to prepare the team for various scenarios that matches might present, whether related to injuries, red cards, or the need for tactical changes during games. He emphasized that strengthening teamwork and improving harmony among the players are the primary objectives of this current phase."
Raouf noted that "the national team delivered an outstanding performance against Spain, successfully matching one of the world's strongest teams through defensive organization, tactical discipline, and the ability to build attacks effectively. He explained that the match demonstrated the players' ability to execute the required technical duties on the field. During the Venezuela match, the coaching staff experimented with different approaches to assess the players' readiness and find diverse tactical solutions that can be utilized during the World Cup."