Iraq has secured a spot in the FIFA World Cup after a 40-year hiatus, defeating Bolivia 2-1 in the Intercontinental Play-off’s second final match at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico. Iraqi players Ali Al-Hamadi scored the opening goal in the 10th minute, while Moises Paniagua equalized for Bolivia in the 28th minute. Amman Hussain sealed the win for Iraq in the 53rd minute, securing their spot in the World Cup.
Iraq’s coach Graham Arnold praised the team’s hard work and defensive solidarity, saying that they had played with true Iraqi spirit to secure the win. The Iraqi team will face France, Norway, and Senegal in Group I, with their first match against Norway on June 16 in Boston, followed by a match against France on June 22 in Philadelphia, and their final group stage match against Senegal on June 26 in Toronto, Canada.
In other news, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has also qualified for the World Cup after defeating Jamaica 1-0 in the Play-off. Iraq’s World Cup appearance will be their second, having previously participated in 1986 in Mexico, where they lost all their group stage matches.
In cricket news, Quetta Gladiators’ fast bowler Ahmed Daniyal has stated that this season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is a big platform for him and he will work hard to secure a spot in the national team. Yasir Khan has praised the team’s spirit, saying that senior and junior players are supporting each other and the team’s atmosphere is excellent.
In squash news, Asim Khan has won a match in the World Squash Qualifiers, while Hamza Khan lost his match. In another match, the Lahore Qalandars defeated the Quetta Gladiators, with Salman Butt scoring 54 runs. In a statement, Lahore Qalandars’ captain Sohail Akhtar has praised his team’s performance, saying that they played well and deserved the win.
In a separate incident, an Israeli team was involved in a controversy when they were asked to shake hands with the Bosnian team before a match, but they refused. In another incident, the Pakistan Cricket Board has rejected an appeal by Fakhre Alam, a player in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), against a two-match ban for ball tampering.
In football news, the Iranian government has warned that any country that attacks Iran on land will be completely destroyed. In a separate incident, an Iranian scientist, Dr. Khamal Kharaaz, was attacked by Israel and the US in Tehran, resulting in the death of his wife and leaving him in a coma.
In a statement, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi has condemned the US-Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear scientist as a “cowardly and inhumane act.”
