BEIJING, May 30 -- Iraq's World Cup qualifier against Australia will go ahead as planned this weekend after FIFA agreed to temporarily lift its suspension. The match had been in doubt after FIFA announced on Monday it was suspending the reigning Asian champion in response to its government's decision to dissolve its National Olympic Committee.
However, FIFA agreed to revoke the ban after the Iraqi government provided written assurances that it had not dissolved the Iraqi Football Association.
The lifting of the ban has Australia worried.
Pim Verbeek, the Dutch coach of Australia, was happy the match would be played but warned his players Iraq will go in as more dangerous opponents now they have won their fight to play.
"This is definitely not to our advantage what has happened," Verbeek said.
"They will want to show everybody they deserve to be in the World Cup and we have to be alert on that.
"It was not going to be an easy game already and it will be more difficult now."
Australia, which leads Group 1 with four points from two games, would have received six points for two forfeited games, including the return leg on June 7, had the ban been put in place, and one foot in the next qualifying round.
However the green light for the game prevented a heavy financial cost for the scrapping of a home fixture before a sell-out crowd, and provided a chance for the predominantly European-based squad to play a competitive game in its club off-season.
【体坛英语资讯:FIFA lifts Iraq ban】相关文章:
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Kidman denies pregnancy rumours
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Britney Spears wins more time with sons
★ 体坛英语资讯:Embattled Chinese womens coach tries to keep grip
★ 体坛英语资讯:Guga says goodbye to tennis world
★ 体坛英语资讯:Nadal the latest upset at Masters Cup
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Alba and Warren reunite after brief split?
★ 体坛英语资讯:Djokovic tops Federer at Australian Open
★ 体坛英语资讯:Nadal eyes Australian Open despite Chennai thrashing
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Emmy Awards nominations announced
★ 体坛英语资讯:Coach has support in Cup wake, Domanski likely to stay
最新
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15