Iraqi officials on the mission are apprehensive that the issue surrounding the departure of Sandefjord’s Norwegian midfielder Danilo As-Said could impact the national team’s journey in the Asian Cup. As-Said left the team’s residence to return to Norway, protesting statements made by Spanish technical director Jesus Casas.
Casas responded to a journalist’s question after the match against Indonesia about why As-Said, who has the highest market value on the Lions of Mesopotamia team and was seated in the stands, did not participate. He said, “I do not care about the market value of any player, nor the name of a player, but rather their readiness to play,” a comment that irked As-Said. The following day, he requested from the delegation management his passport to return to Norway.
As-Said, who was transferred to Sandefjord for a fee of $1.5 million, donned the Iraqi colors in matches against Jordan and Qatar in the friendly Jordan tournament this past October, and the friendly match against South Korea in Abu Dhabi before the start of the competition, which ended with a 1-0 victory for the latter.
Interestingly, the Iraqi Football Association kept silent regarding As-Said’s departure without disclosing the details and the real motives behind the incident, instead choosing to post video clips on its official account depicting a friendly atmosphere inside the team’s residence, implying the stability of the situation.
Casas, ahead of the anticipated matchup, stated, “The Iraqi national team will not be distracted; the focus now is on the match against Japan.”
The “Lions of Mesopotamia” team, facing Japan today, defeated Indonesia 3-1 in their opening match of the continental tournament, hoping to clinch the title for the second time after their first win in 2007.
The Iraqi team’s silence on the matter and their efforts to maintain an appearance of composure despite As-Said’s exit, along with their focus on the upcoming game against Japan, underscores the high stakes and pressures at play in the international football arena. The Iraqi national team remains determined to keep their eyes on the prize, hoping to repeat their historical triumph in the Asian Cup.
