Off the back of a disappointing round-of-16 exit from the Asian Cup, Iraq play host to Philippines at the Basra International Stadium in the World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.
Both sides have had a contrasting start to the qualifying campaign, with the Lions of Mesopotamia winning each of their opening two matches to sit at the top of Group F.
Match preview
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Iraq suffered a shock exit from the 2023 Asian Cup on January 29, when they were narrowly beaten 3-2 by Jordan in the round-of-16 at the Khalifa International Stadium.
After falling behind to Yazan Al-Naimat's first-half opener, Saad Natiq and Aymen Hussein found the target to help Iraq turn the game on its head, but Yazan Alarab and Nizar Mahmoud Al-Rashdan scored in the final two minutes of stoppage time to hand the Chivalrous Ones a dramatic victory.
Prior to that, Iraq cruised through the group stages, claiming victories over Indonesia, Japan and Vietnam in their three matches in Group D while scoring eight goals and conceding four to secure top spot.
Still licking their wounds from January's heavy defeat against Jordan, Juan Carlos Garcia's men now turn their attention to the World Cup qualifiers, where they have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign.
Iraq turned in a five-star performance in their Group F opener on November 16, when they thrashed Indonesia 5-1 courtesy of goals from Bashar Resan, Osama Rashid, Youssef Amyn, Ali Al-Hamadi and an own goal from Jordi Amat.
The Lions of Mesopotamia made it two wins from two five days later when they edged out a resilient Vietnam side 1-0 thanks to a 97th-minute strike from 23-year-old Mohanad Ali.
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Philippines, on the other hand, failed to get their World Cup qualifying journey up and running last time out when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Indonesia at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Kuala Lumpur City man Patrick Reichelt opened the scoring with a 23rd-minute effort to put the hosts in front but 25-year-old Saddil Ramdani netted with 20 minutes left to go to force a share of the spoils.
This followed a 2-0 loss to Vietnam in their Group F opener on November 16, when goals in either half from Nguyen Van Toan and Nguyen Dinh Bac fired the Golden Star Warriors to a comfortable victory.
Philippines have now gone three consecutive games without a win across all competitions, losing twice and claiming one draw since a 2-1 friendly victory over Afghanistan back in September.
While Tom Saintfiet's side will be looking to pick up their first win of the qualifiers and begin the new year on a high, they have struggled for results on the road, where they have lost seven of their last eight matches, with a 1-1 draw with Chinese Taipei on September 8 being the exception.
Philippines, who are 149th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, currently sit third in Group F, two points behind second-placed Vietnam and five adrift of group leaders Iraq.
Team News
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Garcia has named a solid 27-man squad for the double-header against Philippines, including the likes of Ahmed Yasin, Vizela midfielder Rashid and veteran goalkeeper and captain Jalal Hassan.
Hussein picked up a red card in the Asian Cup game against Jordan last time out but the Al-Jawiya striker should spearhead the Lions of Mesopotamia's attack on Thursday.
The forward, who is currently eighth in the nation's all-time scoring chart with 23 goals in 73 matches, should be joined in attack by Ibrahim Bayesh and Amyn, while Rebin Sulaka and Natiq will likely form the centre-back pairing once again.
Meanwhile, Birmingham City man Neil Etheridge should start in goal for Philippines once again, making his 78th international appearance since his debut in October 2008.
There are seven new faces in Philippines' squad, with the likes of Chima Uzoka, Andres Aldeguer, midfielder Mark Swainston and San Jose Earthquakes man Michael Baldisimo in line to make their national team debut on Thursday.
Saintfiet has also called up several experienced hands, including the likes of defender Amani Aguinaldo, Taguig midfielder Kevin Ingreso and 35-year-old striker Reichelt, who boasts 82 senior caps under his belt.
Iraq possible starting lineup:
Hassan; Ali, Natiq, Sulaka, Doski; Rashid, Al-Amari; Bayesh, Resan, Amyn; Hussein
Philippines possible starting lineup:
Etheridge; Curran, Aguinaldo, Tabinas, Rontini; Rublico, Ingreso, Ott, Porteira; Reichelt, Daniels
We say: Iraq 2-0 Philippines
Philippines are in for a tough 90 minutes against a rampant Iraq side who will be looking to restore some pride following their disappointing Asian Cup run. Given the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides, we are backing Iraq to claim a comfortable victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
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