March 31 – Iraq have qualified for their second ever World Cup finals with a 2-1 play-off win in Monterrey, Mexico, over South American qualifiers Bolivia.
Iraq become the ninth AFC nation at the 48-team finals this summer, joining Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Uzbekistan.
Iraq will be in Group I, on paper the toughest group at the finals, with France, Senegal and Norway. Iraq last played at the finals in 1986, which were hosted by Mexico.
Conmebol play-off qualifiers Bolivia had beaten Concacaf hopefuls Suriname last Thursday with a comeback win to set up the final play-off with Iraq.
Two goals from Mosies Paniagua and Miguel Terceros in the 72nd and 79th minutes overturned Suriname’s 48th minute lead.
Iraq’s biggest challenge had been getting to the play-off. With most of their team playing in the domestic league, the Iraqi FA had requested the play-off was postponed due to security issues in the region with the US/Israeli war on Iran. Iran has launched multiple drone and ballistic missile attacks on Iraq targeting sites in Erbil and Baghdad, and US bases in the country.
Having made the journey the Iraqis wasted no time finding their stride. In the third minute a free-kick was taken short for Ibrahim Bayesh to have a shot from distance that went over the bar.
Ali Al Ammari followed up with a free kick that Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra pushed on to the bar. In the 10th minute Al Ammari had a hand in the first goal. His in-swinging corner found Ali Al Hamadi who powered his header in from close range. 1-0 to Iraq.
Bolivia responded with a period of possession that saw Ramiro Vaca hit a long range effort that was well saved by Iraqi keeper Ahmed Basil.
Vaca was driving Bolivia forward and in the 38th minute his mis-hit shot rolled into the path of Moises Paniagua who curled home the equaliser – 1-1 at half time.
Iraq coach Graham Arnold quickly worked his bench, taking off his goalscorers and bolstering his defensive midfield. The result was to keep Bolivia’s attacking threat outside their box and limited to long distance potshots.
Iraq will open their World Cup campaign on June 16 in Boston against Norway. Iraq is not on the US travel ban list though Visas are required though very limited in their issue.
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