Manama: Arch rivals Kuwait and Iraq are gearing up for their second Group Batch in the 21st Gulf Cup hosted by the Bahrain. The two sides will meet for the eighth time within the regional football tournament. Kuwait won three, Iraq won two and two ended in a draw.

Both teams opened this year’s competitions with a victory. Kuwait blanked Yemen 2-0 and Iraq outclassed Saudi Arabia by the same result. The winner of today’s match will almost guarantee a place in the second round.

Defending champion Kuwait outlasted Iraq 5-4 in penalty shootouts after the two sides drew 2-2 in the semifinal of the 2010 tournament in Yemen Iraqi coach Hakeem Shaker confirmed that the match will be among the important matches because the two teams competing for the first place among the group after the first round.

“We have to work very hard for this match as I respect the competitor and I hope to be a good game,” said Hakeem Shaker.  Hamadi Ahmad stressed that the Iraqi team has a high spirit to settle the game and said that the Iraqi team is coming to compete for tournament cup.

Shaker stressed that every game varies in its conditions and I think playing against the Kuwaiti team is hard but still I expect that we can overcome the Kuwaiti team by virtue of the enthusiasm that has been gained from the first win.

“The positive start to the tournament with victory over Saudi gives us the momentum to continue and we hope to be one of the first teams to reach the semifinals from the second match,” Shaker said.
Goran Tufegdzic, the Kuwaiti coach, said that he thinks the Kuwaiti team began the first match against Yemen shakily but improved in the second half. “After Yemen, Iraq will be another tough match for us,” he said.

“Every time their danger comes from the air and high balls, so maybe this will be a problem for us. At the same time Iraq know we play a passing game with the ball down on the ground. Iraq have style and experienced players who know how to get a result.But the team spirit and energy we showed when we beat Yemen is a strong motivator for our players to go forward and get another result.”

Meanwhile, Yemen coach Tom Steve said: “We will win the three points against Saudi Arabia.” Frank Rijkaard confirmed that the second match is very important as they lost the first match against Iraq.

“I think the first match goals for Iraq came from our mistakes. Everyone tries to play his best as we are happy with the team elements,” said the Dutch coach. He added that everyone including the media in Saudi Arabia should cooperate to support the team. “I don’t get affected by the media but players do,” said Rijkaard.