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| Vieira asks for patience |
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| Jorvan Vieira knows that Sepahan must win their remaining two games to reach the quarter-finals. (AFP) |
BAGHDAD: Returning Iraqi coach Jorvan Vieira has asked the country’s football fans to be patient and not expect a sudden revival of the national team’s fortunes.
In his first press conference since being confirmed as Iraq’s new coach, the Brazilian said the circumstances now are very different to when he led the team to AFC Asian Cup glory in Jakarta, Indonesia, last year.
Vieira left the Iraqi team after leading them to the AFC Asian Cup title in July 2007 but is back in charge with his sights set on next year’s Gulf Cup in Oman and the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.
“I am glad to be back, and looking forward to a very important period. Our mission is not easy,” said Vieira.
“Our main goal is the Gulf Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup against some very strong teams. We have to be realistic and know that another performance like the AFC Asian Cup will be very difficult.”
Vieira, who has signed a one-year contract, said his first task is to work with club coaches to select an initial pool of 65 players.
Iraqi government representative Ali Al Dabbagh confirmed that the main targets for next year are the Gulf Cup and the FIFA Confederation’s Cup.
Iraq has failed to recapture the form that made them Asian champions last year and are already out of the running to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
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