Iraq looking to leave Asian Cup on a high

Interim coach Radhi Shenaishil has ruled out making drastic changes to his Iraq side for Friday's AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 third place play-off with the United Arab Emirates.

Iraq lost Monday's semi-final 2-0 to Korea Republic in Sydney to miss out on a return to the final for the first time since landing their maiden AFC Asian Cup title in 2007.

But with third place at stake at Newcastle Stadium, Shenaishil is seeking to end the campaign on a high note with midfielder Yaser Kasim eligible to return after missing the defeat by Korea due to suspension as Iraq look to gain revenge for the 2-0 defeat by the UAE at November's Gulf Cup.

"We are looking at a stable squad as we have had good results with these players, so there won't be many changes. There will be changes as the Emirates are a different side, but our fitness levels are good and we have had one more day extra to rest and all the players are feeling good," said the former Iraq defender.

"It has come to the end of the competition and all teams know each other very well. I think it will be an open match and if our main tool, which is the players, apply our strategy in the match then we can have a positive result."

Iraq have now at least qualified for the quarter-finals at the last six editions of the AFC Asian Cup, with this year's run to the semi-finals only the second time the Lions of Mesopotamia have progressed further having previously finished fourth in 1976.

"There were goals set by the federation and we have achieved these goals in this short space of time," said Shenaishil, who took over from Hakem Shakir following Iraq's exit in the group stage of the 2014 Gulf Cup.

"The poor results before the competition have been passed and we have achieved good results. I hope we can work with these players in the future for our country."

Shenaishil is set to return to Qatar Stars League outfit Qatar SC following the meeting with the UAE, although the former defender is keen for the coaching situation to be resolved as soon as possible with the qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup beginning in June.

"I have a contract with the Qatar club and I want to thank them for the period they released me to coach the Iraq national team. They respected me and the Iraq federation by allowing me to join the national team, but I cannot leave them now," said Shenaishil, who helped Iraq reach the quarter-finals of the 1996 AFC Asian Cup.

"The only problem is the World Cup qualifiers start in June, so any coaching staff need to be in place now to work with the team to find our plan for our team for these World Cup qualifiers.

"There are talks with the Iraq federation, but nothing on paper, and I hope to talk more in the next few days."

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