The Iraqi national team coach expressed his complete dissatisfaction with the team's attacking performance in their last match, pointing to a clear statistical anomaly: while the Lions of Mesopotamia dominated possession with 70%, this control on the field failed to translate into goals or a comfortable victory. The coach emphasized that ineffective possession without creating clear-cut chances or exploiting weaknesses in the opponent's defense is meaningless in modern football, where results and scoring goals are always the ultimate measure.
This statement comes at a time when the Iraqi national team is undergoing a noticeable tactical transformation under the guidance of Spanish coach Jesús Casas, who is striving to instill a culture of building from the back and maintaining possession. While the statistics reflect an improvement in the team's character and its ability to impose its style, the problem of the "final touch" continues to plague Iraqi fans. Teams that employ a high-possession style often struggle against teams that pack the defense and rely on counter-attacks, a scenario that has been repeated in several recent matches for the Lions of Mesopotamia.
Historically, the Iraqi national team has always been characterized by its fighting spirit and direct style of play, a style that led them to their historic victory in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. With the shift towards the Spanish style of football, the players face the challenge of adapting to the demands of proper positioning and patience in building attacks. This radical change in football philosophy requires time and patience, but the pressure of World Cup qualifiers and the constant demands of fans for victory place the coaching staff and players under intense scrutiny for any setback.
These statements are particularly important in the current context, as the Iraqi national team is engaged in crucial matches where accumulating points is essential to securing qualification for major international tournaments. Failing to convert their dominance into goals could cost the team valuable points in the qualifying campaign, making addressing their scoring woes a top priority for the coaching staff in upcoming training camps. Analysts believe the solution lies in diversifying attacking options, relying on long-range shots, and maximizing the impact of wing play to break down opposing defenses.
