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2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup: Iraq Coach Alleges "Mali Is U-23 Team

Sports News 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup: Iraq Coach Alleges Mali Is U-23 Team
OCT 18, 2017 LISTEN

Head coach of the Iraq national team, Qahtan Al-Rubaye have alleged that the Mali team is U-23 and not a U-17 team.

The AFC Cup champion was demolished by 5-1 in the round-of-16 stage here at the Fatorda stadium on Tuesday in the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Quizzed about his side's experience in what was only its second outing at the U-17 World Cup, the Iraqi coach expressed displeasure over the physical disadvantage his players had to contend with.

''We knew that Mali had very good players. But sometimes it's unfair especially when it comes to the physicality of the players. There is a big difference between the African teams and others." he said in his post-match conference.

''They sometimes look like they are the U-23 team and not the U-17. It's quite visible in the way they play, the way they shoot and their ability. You can't compare (them) with U-17,'' said Al-Rubaye.

Under the tournament guidelines, it states that any protest regarding the eligibility of the nominated players shall be submitted to the FIFA headquarters in India within five days of the third-place play-off.

''We are not going to complain or anything. Football is about fairness and fair play. This is a good experience for our players. But you saw the abilities of their players and you are the judges,'' Al-Rubaye stated before exiting the podium.

The winning coach on the night, Jonas Komala, was unsurprisingly dismayed by the comments but maintained his calm throughout the interaction.

''So in football, it's important to accept the result. When it comes to this competition, there are certain rules when it comes to age and they are all tested by FIFA. So when it comes to the result, you have to accept it in the spirit of football,'' said the 40-year-old coach.

Samuel Ekow Amoasi Appiah
Samuel Ekow Amoasi Appiah

Sports JournalistPage: SamuelEkowAmoasiAppiah

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