The Iraq national team arrived in Japan on Saturday 6 June for the Kirin Challenge Cup 2015 against SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) to be held on Thursday 11 June at Nissan Stadium in Kanagawa.

Considering their fatigue, the Iraqi squad went through light workouts such as running and passing drills in one-hour morning session on Saturday 7th just after the night they arrived in Japan.

Head Coach and Players’ Comments

AKRAM SELMAN, Head Coach
First, I'm impressed Japan is a very clean country as there is no littering, and buildings are well organised. And Japanese people are kind and cooperative. We will give it our best to face the strong Japan national team and hopefully the match will be a good experience for the Iraq national team.

FW   HUSSEIN ALI WAHID (Menaa)
Japan is a great county and I have a good impression on it. The hotel we are staying at is pretty clean and we are relaxed. Yesterday we were tired because of a long trip, but we've recovered thanks to the good environment they put us in. There are still four days left until the match, so we will tune up well and get ready for the match against the Japan national team.

DF   DHURGHAM ISMAEL (ALSHORTA)
Because Japan are Asia's top team, we need to look at that reality for the battle. It's going to be a difficult match, but we are also a good team. On 11 June, we hope to show a match that Japanese people can enjoy.

Staff

Head Coach:AKRAM SELMAN

Squad

GK
JALAL HASSAN HACHIM (BAGHDAD)
ALI YASEEN YAS (MENAA)
FAHAD TALIB RAHEEM (NAFT)

DF
SAMAL SAEED MEJBEL (JAWIA)
SALAM SHAKIR (ALSHORTA)
ALI BAHJAT FADHIL (ALSHORTA)
SAMEH SAEED MEJBEL (BAGHDAD)
SAAD NATIQ NAJI (JAWIA)
DHURGHAM ISMAEL (ALSHORTA)

MF
KARRAR MOHAMMED MOHAISEEN AL-ZUHAIR (ALSHORTA)
AHMED YASEEN GHENI (OREBIORO/Sweden)*
YASER SAFA KASIM (SWINDONTOWN/England)*
SAAD ABDULAMEER (ARBIL)
REBIN GHAREEB SOLAKA (SERINISKA/Sweden)*
SAIF SALMAN HASHIM (ALITTIHAD/Saudi Arabia)*
MAHDI KAMIL SHILTAGH (ALSHORTA)
HUMAM TAREQ FARAJ (ALDHAFRA/UAE)

FW
JUSTIN HIKMAT AZEEZ (COLUMBUS CREW/USA)*
AMJED RADHI (ALRAED/Saudi Arabia)
MARWAN HUSSEIN (ALSHORTA)
HUSSEIN ALI WAHID (MENAA)

Note: The players with an asterisk to arrive in Japan later date.

Schedule

Note: The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.

KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2015

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs. Iraq National Team
Thu. 11 June    Kickoff 19:00 (subject to change)　
Kanagawa / Nissan Stadium
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2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 AFC Asian Cup Joint Qualifiers Round 2

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Singapore National Team
Tue. 16 June    Kickoff 19:30 (subject to change)　
Saitama / Saitama Stadium 2002
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