Iraq will kick-start their new era under Radhi Shenaishil with a tough World Cup qualification match away to Asian giants Australia.
A familiar fixture for the Lions in the past decade or so, Iraq will travel to Perth on Thursday as they embark on the next round of qualifiers that stands between them and Russia.
Radhi’s men had a turbulent training camp with losses against Qatar and North Korea. A draw in their second friendly against North Korea and another against Perth Glory ended the Lions’ pre-Australia preparation.
Meanwhile the Socceroos traded wins with Greece in Sydney and Melbourne back in early June.
The Iraqis know that they will have their foreign-based players at their helm and a packed out nib Stadium to help spur them on. The Lions have previously shown that when the underdog, they can produce. And what better way to start?
If previous encounters are any indication as to what is to come on Thursday then one thing is for sure. We are in for a cracker.
KICK-OFF: Thursday, 01/09, 13:30pm (BGD)
VENUE: nib Stadium aka Perth Oval
RECORD: P-9 W-2 D-1 L-6
LIVE: BeIn Sport 2
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