Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Qatar Sports Club (QSC) coach Radhi Shenaishil will take charge of Iraq’s 2015 AFC Asian Cup campaign after the Doha outfit agreed the secondment of the 48-year-old former international defender.
"With the spirit of sincere cooperation in the Arab sports World, which we hope will lead to friendly ties between the Arab people, the Qatar Sports Club Board decided to accept the request of the Iraq Football Association to loan Qatar Sports Club Head Coach Radhi Shenaishil so that he can assume the position of the of Iraq National Team Head Coach on a temporary basis for their participation in AFC Asian Cup in Australia,” QSC announced on their official website.
The loan appointment marks the second time Shenaishil has been at the helm of the Lions of Mesopotamia having replaced Iraq’s 2007 AFC Asian Cup-winning coach Jorvan Vieira in 2009 before making way for Bora Milutinovic ahead of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup campaign.
A defensive stalwart for his country between 1988 and 1999, Shenaishil made the 1996 AFC Asian Cup Best XI as Iraq reached the quarter-finals in the UAE and spent five years in the ranks of QSC before returning to the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium in September to take over from Ivan Hasek as head coach.
Shenaishil, who also coached Iraq’s Olympic side during the qualifiers for London 2012 (pictured), made an immediate impact as he led QSC to three back-to-back wins to named September’s Qatar Stars League Coach of the Month.
Iraq have been drawn in Group D of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup where Shenaishil’s side will face reigning champions Japan, AFC Challenge Cup winners Palestine and Jordan, with Iraq kicking-off their campaign against the Jordanians in Brisbane on January 12.
Photo: AFP