Iraqis all smiles despite defeat

By Brendon Hanley Jun 18, 2009, 11:28 GMT

Bloemfontein - After their 1-0 defeat to Spain, the Iraqi national team was happy with their performance despite the fact that the loss means they will need to win their final match against New Zealand to advance to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup from Group A.

With South Africa's defeat of the Kiwis later on Wednesday night, the Pharaohs will not only need all three points from Saturday's contest, but they also must hope Bafana Bafana lose to Spain, while making up three goals difference to nip the second spot in the group.

But with the hosts running into a Spanish side that have won 14 matches on the trot, Iraqi coach Bora Milutinovic was thrilled the Asian champions were still in with a shout going into their third match against the group's bottom-dwellers.

'We didn't get much time to prepare, so against a team like Spain I am very pleased with the result,' said the boss, who has been in charge of the side just since May.

'A football match is like life,' he continued. 'You need to have perspective and use mathematics. In the first game you try not to lose, which we didn't. In the second game, you must get the best result possible without leaving too much space between you and qualifying.

'It was very important not to give up too many goals against Spain,' he said. 'So it was very smart and disciplined performance by the players.'

Iraq captain Nashat Akram agreed that the team were not too downhearted despite the reverse to a Spanish side that has also now gone 34 matches without defeat, one away from equalling Brazil's record for a national team.

'It was a really difficult game, but we did our best,' said the 25-year-old midfielder, who plays his club football in Qatar. 'We were hoping to hold on after being scoreless at half-time, but that's football. It's usually the best team that wins in the end.'

Spain's man of the match, Xabi Alonso, admitted that the Iraqi side was more difficult to break down than they had thought.

'It was hard to find a rhythm against them, and they didn't give us any space,' said the Liverpool player. 'They had five well- positioned players in defence and another four in midfield.'

When questioned about the side's defensive tactics, Milutinovic shrugged off concerns over the quality of football with one of his trademark smiles. 'This was a great result. I will enjoy it for a long time,' he said.