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