JOHANNESBURG // Nashat Akram, the first Iraqi player to earn a move to a club in western Europe after signing for FC Twente in Holland, says he feels like an ambassador for his country as Bora Mulutinovic's side plot a route to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup.
Akram, who will fly to Holland for a press conference immediately after the tournament, was the centre of attention after Iraq's goalless draw against hosts South Africa and feels a responsibility to represent his country on the world stage.
"It's like I have a diplomatic passport," he joked. "I'm the first Iraqi player to play in Europe at a high level. And FC Twente are a very good team - this season they were second for the cup and second for the league and they played in Champions League. I'm so proud to play for them now.
"I've spoken with the coach Steve McClaren already. He's a very big name, a very big coach and it's a big challenge for me to show people I have good quality and good technique to play at that level."
Akram certainly impressed in Iraq's opening game of the tournament in Johannesburg but the prospect of facing European champions Spain in the next fixture tomorrow is an altogether different challenge, especially as the Spanish include some of the greatest midfielders in world football.
Akram added: "It's a very, very tough game next because Spain have very good quality players and are a very good team. We're doing our best, though - and this is football, nobody knows the result in advance.
"For me I'm just so proud to play in the Confederations Cup. I've played so long in the national team and we've done well, we've been champions in the Asian Cup and we want to do more.
"For myself I want to play against very good players like Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta and do as well as I can. We believe we can reach the semi-finals."
sports@thenational.ae
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
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match info
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 37')
Atletico Madrid 1 (Costa 39')
Man of the match Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)
RESULT
Kolkata Knight Riders 169-7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals 144-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata win by 25 runs
Next match
Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders, Friday, 5.30pm
Top 10 in the F1 drivers' standings
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 202 points
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 188
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 169
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 117
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 116
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 67
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 56
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 45
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 35
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 26
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AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
Schedule for Asia Cup
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan