Iraq U-20 coach eyes Asian Cup qualification from Group 6 in Thailand

CHONBURI, Thailand — Iraq U-20 national team head coach Ahmed Salah said his side is ready for the Asian Cup qualifiers and is targeting a place in the tournament finals. Speaking at a press conference in Chonburi, Salah noted that all teams in Group 6 have legitimate ambitions and that the levels among them are closely matched. Salah said the squad has held a training camp in preparation for its continental fixtures and that the players are eager to perform at their best and meet the qualification target. The group also features Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates and host Thailand. Iraq's kit colors for the qualifiers were set at a coordination meeting in Chonburi attended by team manager Nadhim Karim. Iraq will wear an all-white kit against Turkmenistan, an all-green kit against the UAE, and an all-white kit again when it faces Thailand. The Group 6 matches are scheduled to begin on Thursday.