LONDON: Iraq midfielder Yaser Kasim said he is ready to start “a new page” after ending his self-imposed exile from international football.
The English-based midfielder made the decision to retire from the international game more than a year ago, but he is now back in the squad under coach Basim Qasim and poised to make his first appearance for his country since September 2016 when Iraq host Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
“God willing, it’s a new page and we play a good game,” he said in a press conference. “The time is right for me to return, and the schedule of the coach and we’ll do something good for the national team. I am happy that I’ve returned to the national side and there aren’t any problems with the national team. I came to train. I am relaxed and ready to train and play, that’s the most important thing. I thank the people in the FA that brought me and I thank the coach.”
The 26-year-old has turned down several national team call ups under former coach Radhi Shanaishel and the current Iraq coach Basim Qasim, seemingly preferring instead to concentrate on his career in England. He also went AWOL during the country’s preparations for the Rio Olympics. He was called up as one of three coverage players for the tournament but he left the training camp in Europe and never returned.
“I apologize that I could not come before and there are no problems or problem,” he said. “I’ve come to train and play matches.”
He is in line to play some part against Saudi Arabia at the Basra International Stadium as Amjad Atwan is injured.
“This is my first time in Basra and with the new coach Basim Qasim and we’ll train and we’ll play a good match and link-up with the players and have fun in the matches,” he said. “I send my greetings to the fans.”
Born in Baghdad, Kasim spent his youth career at Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur and has played at Brighton, Luton, Macclesfield, Swindon and now Northampton Town. He was on the verge of moving to Swansea in 2016 for £1 million ($1.4 million). He has won 18 international caps and was the star for Iraq at the 2015 Asian Cup when they finished fourth.
Yaser Kasim apologizes for previous Iraq no-shows as he prepares for Saudi Arabia return
Yaser Kasim apologizes for previous Iraq no-shows as he prepares for Saudi Arabia return
Carrick relishing Frank reunion as Man Utd host Spurs
- Carrick has enjoyed a perfect start to life as interim United boss
- Frank remains under intense pressure in his first season at Spurs
LONDON: Michael Carrick will go head to head with Thomas Frank just months after interviewing the Tottenham manager for television as Manchester United seek a fourth successive Premier League win on Saturday.
Former Spurs, United and England midfielder Carrick has enjoyed a perfect start to life as interim United boss — beating Manchester City, Premier League leaders Arsenal and Fulham.
Next in line for United are Spurs, 14th in the table after a miserable Premier League season so far.
Carrick, who replaced the sacked Ruben Amorim last month, interviewed Frank ahead of the Dane’s first Champions League game in charge of Tottenham.
“(Life) certainly can change,” said Carrick as he reflected on the Amazon Prime interview in September. “I really enjoyed it, actually.
“We got on really well. It’s the first time I’ve met him properly and we had a good chat just about general kind of football things... I enjoyed it, so it will be good to see him again.”
Former Brentford boss Frank remains under intense pressure in his first season at Spurs despite their impressive Champions League campaign and a recent uptick in results.
Last week’s 2-2 draw at home to City extended their unbeaten run to four matches.
“They certainly bring a challenge,” Carrick said. “I think you can see especially the way they finished the game the other day.
“They’ve had players injured and ins and outs, and a lot of changes to the team, which makes things a lot more challenging, a lot more difficult from their perspective. But they’re getting players back.”
Tottenham won all four of their meetings against United last season, including May’s Europa League final in Bilbao.
Carrick hopes to end that run against a club at which he spent two seasons before moving to Old Trafford in 2006.
“Coming here (United) was a jump and a big jump at the time,” he said. I certainly felt that pretty quickly and then I think once you step inside this place as a footballer, it turns you.
“So, pretty much from the first day walking into the dressing room and meeting the manager, from then on in that was me.”
