Veteran coach Milutinovic has big ambitions with Iraq (News Feature)

By Klaus Bergmann Jun 10, 2009, 14:05 GMT

   Johannesburg - Iraq have no intention to hand over the points at the Confederation Cup as they aim to make Asia proud at the tournament.

'You must have big aims when you represent an entire continent,' said their veteran Serbian coach Bora Milutinovic.

A 1-1 draw with Poland in a tune-up match on Tuesday in Cape Town bolstered confidence ahead of Iraq's tournament opener on Sunday against hosts South Africa.

But Milutinovic, whose team moved on to their Confederations Cup camp in Johannesburg on Wednesday, was not fully satisfied.

'You are never happy with a draw, especially if you could have won the match ... My team played well,' he said.

Iraq were surprise Asian champions in 2007 to qualify for the eight-team Confederations Cup which takes place June 14-28.

Its other group stage opponets are Euro 2008 champions Spain and New Zealand. If all goes very well, Iraq could came second behind Spain to qualify for the semi-finals.

The tournament offers Iraq a rare opportunity to play on the big stage. The team has only been at the World Cup once, in 1982, and also failed to qualify for the 2010 edition on South Africa.

Preparations have been difficult in the unrest-torn country, and Milutinovic held the final preparations in Qatar, where some of his players are based at local clubs.

The globe-trotting Milutinovic, 64, has far more experience than his players, from which captain Younis Mahmoud and his attacking partner Emad Mohammed stand out.

But working with the Iraq team is even precious for Milutinovic, who was at five World Cups in a row with as many teams: Mexico 1986, Costa Rica 1990, United States 1994, Nigeria 1998 and China 2002.

'I feel like a little child. I cherish the moments with the people in Iraq, with the players, the fans. I am very proud to be able to train this squad,' he said.