Iraq adapting quickly to the modern game

Costa Rica, Australia and even Portugal fell victim to a much-improved Iraq side, whose coach, Adnan Hamd, proved a master of mind games and public relations.

Once that run came to a halt, however, in a 3-1 defeat by Paraguay on Tuesday, the Iraqi players flounced off the pitch and straight on to the team bus.

If ever there was a moment to encapsulate how far Iraq have come in sporting terms, it was the sight of Iraq8217;s players 8212; who train alongside grazing animals in Baghdad 8212; acting like prima donnas. Visibly upset that their bid to win a first Olympic gold in the war-torn country8217;s history had failed, Iraq8217;s players blanked journalists from all over the world. One Iraqi official claimed they were 8216;8216;too disappointed8217;8217; to talk, trying to explain behaviour more in keeping with high-paid European players. Iraq still have a chance to make history if they beat Italy in the bronze medal match on Friday. Their only previous Olympic medal was a weightlifting bronze at the 1960 Rome Games.

Back home in Baghdad, people have greeted their Olympic success by firing guns in the sky, honking car horns and waving the Iraqi flag.

Hamd acknowledged that the weight of expectation affected his team against Paraguay. 8216;8216;The players were under incredible pressure, especially after their first goal,8217;8217; he said. 8216;8216;This game meant so much to them, to be able to guarantee a medal.8217;8217;

Hamd slipped quickly and effortlessly back into manager-speak, however, claiming that Paraguay8217;s first goal should have been disallowed. 8216;8216;It was clearly offside,8217;8217; he shrugged. 8216;8216;The video of the game showed it was offside.8217;8217; Reuters