Yaser Kasim backs Saudi Arabia to shine at World Cup

Iraq's Yaser Kasım expects the Green Falcons to bounce back from Wednesday's 4-1 defeat in Basra

BASRA: Iraq midfielder Yaser Kasim has backed Saudi Arabia to recover from their friendly defeat in Basra and fly the flag for the region at the World Cup.
The Green Falcons suffered a 4-1 humbling at the hands of their hosts, handing new coach Juan Antonio Pizzi a first defeat in only his second game in charge. And with just four months to go until the side’s World Cup opener, both the defeat and manner of it was far from what was hoped for.
After a confident start, Saudi Arabia were repeatedly undone on the counterattack by a hungry Iraq side determined to impress in front of 60,000 passionate fans packed into the Basra International Stadium.
An Emad Mohsin Majeed strike and Muhanad Ali brace, along with a Saeed Awadh Al-Yami own goal, were enough to gift the hosts a well-deserved win. The result raised plenty of questions as Pizzi continues to try to piece together his preferred personnel for this summer’s showpiece in Russia.
But despite the negative result, Kasim believes that Saudi Arabia have what it takes to be competitive when they take on Russia, Egypt and Uruguay in Group A come June.
“I do genuinely think Saudi Arabia could do well,” Kasim told Arab News after the match.
“They have got great supporters and great players, who play in a very strong Saudi league.
“There have obviously been a lot of changes of coach recently so it’s about working hard and staying together as a team. If they can keep that team spirit high I really think they’ll do well.”
Saudi Arabia came second in AFC qualifying Group B, narrowly beating Iraq home and away on their way to finishing runners-up behind Japan and edging Asian powerhouse Australia into the playoff spot.
And after Wednesday night’s historic friendly brought the two nations closer together, Kasim believes the people of Iraq will support Saudi Arabia in Russia.
“There’s a lot of respect for Saudi Arabia, certainly from the Iraqi players. I’ve personally played there before in the Gulf Cup and they treated us incredibly well — everyone we met made us feel welcome.
“I think the Saudi players felt the same way in Basra. The fans appreciated them coming to play here and obviously, as one of the main teams from the Middle East, we all want them to do well for the region at the World Cup.”
Saudi Arabia get their World Cup campaign underway against hosts Russia on June 14, with friendlies against Ukraine, Belgium, Italy and Germany planned before the big kick-off.