Stange defends decision on Iraq

Stange defends decision on Iraq

PERTH, Australia: Iraq soccer coach Bernd Stange on Friday
defended his decision to take on the job while Saddam Hussein was
still in power before the United States-led invasion of the
country.

Agreeing that at one stage he had been called "the Devil's
coach", the former East German manager said he had accepted the
position because it gave him his last chance to take a national
side to the World Cup finals.

"At the age of 55, it was my last chance to see a World Cup --
the World Cup of 2006 in my home country, Germany," he said on
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television.

Stange is visiting Western Australia, where he coached top
club side Perth Glory for three years until 2001, to pave the way
for a match between Iraq and Australia here Nov. 16.

Iraq has already qualified for next year's Asian Cup, meaning
it is one of the best 16 teams in Asia despite the deprivations
after the recent conflict. --AFP