Iraq's Rising Star Fires Back at Critics With Arab Cup Win

Progress to the Arab Cup Quarterfinals

The Iraqi Football Association president Adnan Darjal congratulated the national team and the coaching staff led by Australian manager Graham Arnold after securing a place in the Arab Cup quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over Sudan on Saturday, in the second round of Group D.

Darjal said in a formal statement that the Black Reds have proven to be the most important name in the Arab Cup, delivering a standout performance in the second half that sealed the victory with firm resolve and high-level play.

He also praised the fans for their wonderful support, noting how their presence helped tip the balance in the team's favor.

Amjad Atwan, an Iraqi player, described the tournament as excellent preparation for the world playoffs.

On his celebration, which he joked looked like an awkward walk, Atwan added that age is just a number, but some people judge players by age rather than their contribution to the group.

He added that this celebration is a reply to those who doubted their abilities because of age.

This display of confidence could fuel a run in the knockout rounds.

Celebrating Against Critics

Punchline 1: If aging were a football stat, this squad would break the records while scoring.

Punchline 2: They celebrated so hard even the calendar started keeping track of extra time.