FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017: Iraq coach avoids putting pressure on star striker Mohammed Dawood

Kolkata: Mohammed Dawood may have looked like a complete striker, leading Iraq’s attack single-handedly in the U-17 World Cup, but head coach Qahtan Jathir does not want to put pressure on the Baghdad teenager, and insists on playing as a “team”. The top scorer in their historic AFC Under-16 triumph in Goa, Dawood looked to have picked from where he had left last year with three goals from two matches. His sparkling performance has brightened the knockout prospects of Iraq, who had failed to notch a single win in their only U-17 World Cup appearance in 2013. [caption id=“attachment_4139485” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Iraq’s teammates congratulate Mohammed Dawood after his goal against Chile. AP[/caption] Chitheer, however, does not want to add pressure on Dawood ahead of a tough final round group league match against leaders England. “There are other players in the team who are equally good and talented as well. Each player has his own skill. We play as a team and we have been able to achieve success through tough training conditions,” Chitheer said. “We have been working with this team for more than 2-3 years. We have been working with tactics which are very important in modern football, even with the U-17 team.” Dawood opened his account in the sixth minute against Chile, while his second goal was a beauty as he curled in a free-kick around the wall. He could have completed a hat-trick but Chilean goalkeeper Rodrigo Cancino pulled off a fine save to deny a second-half stoppage time penalty. “The important thing is that the players know their duties. As you saw against Mexico, we played long balls behind the defenders using the speed of Dawood. In this match, we played short passes and this strategy has been achieved by training and now it was in the match.” Against England on October 14, they will have a different strategy in place, Chitheer said. “Each match has its own circumstances and we will play differently to the way we played against Mexico and Chile. England are a very strong opponents and it would not be easy.” Days after Iraq recorded their first point in the U-17 World Cup with an impressive one-all draw against two-time champions Chile, they tasted their maiden victory of the tournament – a 3-0 win over Chile. “I would like to congratulate Iraqi people. Chile are a strong side. We played very well against Mexico and this match as well. We are Asian Under-16 champions and played very well there as well. We knew Chile’s strengths and weaknesses and we used that to our effect,” he signed off.