Iraq down Bolivia to secure final World Cup berth
Lions of Mesopotamia qualify for the first time in 40 years on the back of goals early in each half from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein.
Iraq 2-1 Bolivia
Path B
Monterrey Stadium, Monterrey
Iraq goals: Ali Al-Hamadi (10), Aymen Hussein (53)
Bolivia goal: Moises Paniagua (38)
It was on Mexican soil, four decades ago, where Iraq last graced the game’s greatest stage. It was on the same soil where they booked their return to the FIFA World Cup™, downing Bolivia 2-1 in the final of the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
Nine hundred kilometres north of the capital, where Ahmed Radhi and co exited Mexico 1986, it was in Monterrey where Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein helped Iraq secure the 48th and final berth to the global showpiece.
Iraq’s opener was scripted by the impressive Amir Al Ammari, whose thumping free-kick – brilliantly tipped over the bar by Guillermo Viscarra – led to the corner that he planted right on the head of Al-Hamadi. The 24-year-old England-based forward, an injury doubt leading into the match, piloted the adidas TRIONDA past Viscarra to hand the Lions of Mesopotamia a nerve-settling early advantage.
Having failed to fully wrest control of the contest, Bolivia’s leveller came as Moises Paniagua nipped in to control an off-target Ramiro Vaca effort before swivelling and lashing past Ahmed Basil.
The Iraq custodian had to be alert to tip a looping a Miguel Terceros shot over the bar late in the opening stanza before they lost Youssef Amyn to injury shortly after the resumption.
His replacement, Marko Farji, made an immediate impact. Barely 60 seconds after his arrival, the Italy-based forward collected a flicked Hussein header from a lofted Zaid Tahseen pass and squared for the veteran striker to sweep home from between the six-yard box and the penalty spot.
Mohanad Ali had a chance to add a late settler but with Bolivia unable to twist open a tight Iraq defence, the full-time whistle saw the 899th qualification match end in early morning joy for those in Baghdad and beyond.
Having secured their Monterrey mandate, Iraq’s attention shifts now to the tournament proper where France, Senegal and Norway await in Group I. That will see Graham Arnold join a select group of coaches to have overseen two different nations from the same confederation at a World Cup.
For 46 million Iraqis, after nine failed qualification campaigns and a 21-match journey on the road to North America, the long wait to dine at the sport’s top table is finally over.
What they said....
“I want to give credit to the players, whose work ethic and their Iraqi mentality of fighting and putting their body on the line was why we won. I am so happy that we made 46 million people happy, I’m just so happy.”
Graham Arnold, Iraq head coach
"It’s tough. We wanted to be at this World Cup. We worked hard for it. I’m proud of the players, of their courage and of the way they fought right to the end. I’m really sorry for our country and for the hopes of the people."
Oscar Villegas, Bolivia head coach