“Our goal is the World Cup”

2023-05-02 13:38:21

From Cádiz to Baghdad a successful air route has been opened that nobody counted on. Not even its main passenger, Jesús Casas (Madrid, 1973)who just a few months after signing as selector of Iraq – “because the president of the federation was looking for a Spaniard to reach the World Cup” – became a national hero. It is after winning the Gulf Cup held in January and conquered by a country that has become closer through football Historical gaps between Shias, Sunnis and even Kurds. “They are soccer fans to the core. Here Tomás Roncero would be Iñaki Gabilondo, the press puts a lot of pressure on them,” he told EL PERIÓDICO DE ESPAÑA, from the Prensa Ibérica group.

Two decades after the Iraq war, the country thinks of other combats, those offered by Casas and his pupils. Born in Madrid, but originally from Cádiz, he answers this newspaper from Chiclana, where he spends a few days on one of the trips allowed by the Iraqi federation. “We have six flights to Spain to be able to see the family, because one of the conditions that he put on us was to live there. These are conditions that, for example, he would not have if he had signed for a Spanish Second Division team-he admits that he had an offer after signing with Iraq-, he explains.

Opportunity through the RFEF

Together with Casas, they signed until 2026 -although the contract is reviewed every year- Alejandro Varela y Save Romero as assistants, in addition to Javi Benavent as a physical trainer paul grandes depending on analyst. “The opportunity came through the RFEF, because Iraq wanted a Spanish coach. They were very clear about it, to change the mentality. Soccer is the most followed sport by far. When you go there, the first thing they ask you is if you are from Real Madrid o del FC Barcelona“, describes a technician who was previously second to Luis Enrique in the selection.

He worked with both the Asturian and Robert Moreno. When Fought He returned, after his forced absence, Casas left the national team, because the relationship faded. “It is not a unilateral decision, both parties were not comfortable. The normal thing is that, when that happens, one ends up leaving. I have told it many times. It was a great stage in my life and I am very grateful for everything that I have experienced.“, explains Casas, whose relationship with the federation from Rubiales is very good.

In fact, the opportunity for Iraq came about through the RFEF with Adnan Dirjal, former soccer player and Minister of Youth and Sports of the country. Casas took over from the Dutch Dick Lawyerwho resigned in November 2021. Razzaq Farhan took over as interim until Iran in January removed Iraqis from Qatar World Cupa true national drama, according to the Spanish coach.

A difficult list for the Gulf Cup

“It was a disappointment, because the goal is to be in a World Cup, that’s why they signed us,” he declared with ambition and thinking positively. for the new format of 42 teams. Eight of them will be Asian and Iraq is currently seventh in the FIFA ranking of its confederation.

Ahead, Casas and his team have a long phase ahead, but the bases are more than consolidated after winning the Gulf Cup in January. “We had to make a rapid adaptation and we couldn’t have some of the players we wanted, because as it was a tournament that was outside FIFA dates, some teams didn’t give us the players. NOur ‘scouting’ was reduced to the league in Iraq and its borders, as well as some internationals who were in Sweden“, says the Iraqi coach, with many hours of video on top.

“All year we have to be aware of the competitions. Good for the local championships, which end in July, Good for the players we have in European leagues“, tells about the difficulties when making a list to which more and more names are added, especially from abroad.

Recruit the ‘sons’ of Iraq in Europe

It is the case of Zidane Iqbalborn in the United Kingdom, but of Iraqi descent, and who plays for Manchester United. He is already part of the senior team, which he will soon join Youssef Amyn, Feyenoord playerwhom Casas convinced to join the under-21 team in his country of origin, despite the fact that he had already played with the under-19 of GermanyWhere was he born.

I understand that for many being in the lower categories of European national teams is something very sweet. What we are trying is for certain footballers to come with us. The Gulf Cup has given us enormous credibility to achieve certain passport changes”, explains the leader of a ‘staff’ who is also helped by his international profile. In addition, the multidisciplinary vision of Casas, who has been head coach, assistant or an analyst, allows you to work with a global vision in a country where everything is to be redone.

“This is a circumstantial detail, but I went to a concentration of the sub-23, which was on tour in Spain, and in the buffet of the hotel there were chips or chocolate cake. We have had to change training habits, “says Casas, who has done an accelerated master’s degree. Because just a few days after his arrival, Iraq hosted the Gulf Cup 40 years later. Couldn’t miss.

A final won dramatically

“I was not really aware of what the tournament entailed -the Arab teams close to the Persian Gulf such as Bahrain, Oman, Qatar participate…-, but the rivalry is very big in the area. From the beginning, the press brutally squeezed. Here Tomás Roncero would be Iñaki Gabilondo. This is how they let us know after starting by drawing against Oman. They also put a lot of stress on the players. But I put myself as a shield and they appreciated it,” recalls Casas.

Precisely, the Omani team was the rival in a final for history where the drama re-emerged. The expectation was such that a stampede at the entrance to the Basra Stadium that left seven dead and dozens injured. The Iraq coach handed over the tournament prize to the families of the deceased.

The match, how could it be otherwise, had an emotional outcome: the winning goal came in minute 122 of extra time with a header from Manaf Younis that made Iraq tremble, but this time, for joy. Casas and his technical team were at peace, like the fractured nation that for decades was reduced to rubble and where attacks were the order of the day.

Iraq, a country united by the ball

“The celebration was a real madness. I couldn’t see enough to distinguish so many people who had taken to the streets. Citizens of all walks of life, united by football. Shiites, Sunnis and even Kurds. The ball had allowed them to put aside their conflicts. The national team is for reconciliation”, the coach proudly comments, who has become a sudden diplomat in a country where the war has killed even memories.

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Because Iraq was in the 1986 World Cup and won the Asian Cup 2007, a day where two bomb attacks killed at least 50 people and injured hundreds in Baghdad. At the same time, a scattered crowd secretly celebrated the victory of the national team over South Korea. Nothing to do with the Gulf Cup, which united all faiths. It had been a long time since so many citizens were seen wrapped in their flag.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-PLUBZU5Is

Allah received more prayers of thanks than ever, because this victory, signed with the ingenuity and work of Casas, was massive. The triumph towards normalcy of a country that is growing faster than any of its neighbors, many of them enemies in the past, but that attended the Gulf Cup to enjoy a spectacle that has put Iraq back on the football mapwith the unavoidable immediate objective of returning to a World Cup event.