Iraq head coach Graham Arnold speaks during a post-match press conference at Khalifa International Stadium following the team’s loss to Algeria in the 2025 Arab Cup.
Iraq coach praises fight in Algeria loss, shifts focus to quarterfinal
BAGHDAD — Iraq national team coach Graham Arnold voiced pride in his players after a 2–0 loss to Algeria, saying the squad will now turn its attention to clearing the next hurdle against Jordan in the Arab Cup quarterfinals.
Speaking at a post-match press conference, Arnold said the players “did a great job tonight, especially after playing with ten men for 92 minutes, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.” He added that “the players fought from the first minute after the red card,” and stressed the need to “forget this match and focus completely on the next one.”
Arnold said reaching the last eight was the team’s initial objective. “Our first goal was to reach the quarterfinals and we achieved that, and our second goal is to continue and complete the journey toward the semifinals,” he said.
Looking ahead to the match against Jordan, he said “the development of the Jordanian national team is wonderful,” noting that the coaching staff will assess injuries before the game and adding, “I expect Mimi’s injury is good.”
Iraq fell 2–0 to Algeria on Tuesday in the final round of Group D fixtures at the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar. Algeria’s Amine Tougai scored in first-half stoppage time, and Iraq defender Saad Natiq added an own goal in the second half.
Already assured of a place in the knockout stage, Iraq finished the group on six points in second place behind Algeria, which topped the standings with seven points. The result confirmed both sides as Group D’s qualifiers to the quarterfinals.