Former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has been carried on the shoulders of his players like a hero after guiding Iraq to its first FIFA World Cup in 40 years.
Iraq was the last country to qualify for the tournaments with a 2-1 win over Bolivia in the inter-confederation playoff.
It is the first time Iraq has qualified for the World Cup since 1986, its only ever appearance.
Ali Al Hamadi handed Iraq a 10th-minute lead at the Monterrey Stadium but Bolivia were level at the break through Moises Paniagua.
Aymen Hussein steered home a second-half winner to seal Iraq’s place in the tournament, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
When the full-time whistle blew, the Iraq players, coaches and fans went into delirium.
Arnold, who guided the Socceroos to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was lifted onto the shoulders of his players and chaired around the pitch.
Carrying with the Iraq flag, Arnold greeted the huge Iraqi contingent of fans who had packed into the Monterrey Stadium in northern Mexico.
“I must congratulate the players who played with real Iraqi mentality, fighting and putting their bodies on the line and that’s why we won the game,” Arnold said.
“You’ve got to give full credit to Bolivia, because they played well. And it was just through the great defending from our players, who put their bodies on the line, as I said, and we defended the crosses really well. That’s why we won the game.”
Iraq coach Graham Arnold (left) celebrates with players and coaching staff after qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. (Reuters: Raquel Cunha)
Iraq will compete in group I at the June 11 to July 19 World Cup along with France, Norway and Senegal.
Iraq, the ninth team from Asia to qualify, were quickly out of the blocks and Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra made a fingertip save to push Amir Al Ammari’s curling free kick onto his crossbar.
But from the resultant corner, Al Hamadi, who plays for Luton Town in League One, got ahead of the Bolivia defence to head home the opener.
Bolivia slowly recovered from the shock of the early setback and by the break were deservedly level.
Their equaliser came when Ramiro Vaca’s forward pass, which looked initially to be a shot on goal, found Paniagua, who then had time to turn and slam home the ball from close range.
Iraq went ahead again in the 53rd minute as substitute Marko Farji’s cross found Hussein, who reacted quickest and got ahead of his marker to steer it home.
Mohanad Ali had a chance to score a third for Iraq and finish off the game near full-time, but squandered the opportunity.
Bolivia forced several late corners as they desperately bid to take the game into extra time, but Iraq finished the fresher of the two sides.
Reuters/ABC