Jesus Casas hopes Iraq can emulate 2007 Asian Cup success and welcome home new 'heroes'

As an Iraq resident for the past year and, more conspicuously, the current manager of its national team, Jesus Casas is never too removed from reminders of the country’s crowning football moment.

“Lots of times,” smiles the Spaniard, in reference to how often Iraq’s momentous 2007 Asian Cup title win forms the focus of conversation. “In Iraq, all these players are heroes.

“Since I’ve been living there, it is impossible not to see any highlights about that tournament. Mahdi Karim [a member of that victorious side] was with us as team manager and he told about that experience.

“It was incredible for them. For the whole country.”

Almost 17 years on, that remarkable result remains Iraq’s sole success in the continent’s showpiece competition, placing Karim, Younis Mahmoud – then captain and also match-winner in the final against Saudi Arabia – and colleagues alongside their celebrated predecessors who qualified for the 1986 World Cup.

Yet, sitting now in his Doha hotel as Iraq get set for Monday’s 2023 Asian Cup Group D opener against Indonesia, Casas isn’t burdened by the spectre of 2007.

He understands it, embraces it. Encourages it, too.

“Inshallah, my players will be heroes in Iraq now, or after World Cup qualification,” he tells The National. “Because I know the importance of football in Iraq, that generation with Younis Mahmoud and everyone. All the people remember them.”

Casas, 50, has quickly gone about cementing his team’s place in Iraqi hearts also. That was pretty much secured not long after his appointment in November 2022 when, less than three weeks following his first match with the national team, he was guiding his new side to Arabian Gulf Cup glory.

A fourth regional crown not only snapped a 34-wait for the