LONDON: Iraq midfielder Yaser Kasim said he is ready to start 鈥渁 new page鈥� after ending his self-imposed exile from international football.
The English-based midfielder made the decision to retire from the international game more than a year ago, but he is now back in the squad under coach Basim Qasim and poised to make his first appearance for his country since September 2016 when Iraq host 萝莉视频 on Wednesday.
鈥淕od willing, it鈥檚 a new page and we play a good game,鈥� he said in a press conference. 鈥淭he time is right for me to return, and the schedule of the coach and we鈥檒l do something good for the national team. I am happy that I鈥檝e returned to the national side and there aren鈥檛 any problems with the national team. I came to train. I am relaxed and ready to train and play, that鈥檚 the most important thing. I thank the people in the FA that brought me and I thank the coach.鈥�
The 26-year-old has turned down several national team call ups under former coach Radhi Shanaishel and the current Iraq coach Basim Qasim, seemingly preferring instead to concentrate on his career in England. He also went AWOL during the country鈥檚 preparations for the Rio Olympics. He was called up as one of three coverage players for the tournament but he left the training camp in Europe and never returned.
鈥淚 apologize that I could not come before and there are no problems or problem,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e come to train and play matches.鈥�
He is in line to play some part against 萝莉视频 at the Basra International Stadium as Amjad Atwan is injured.
鈥淭his is my first time in Basra and with the new coach Basim Qasim and we鈥檒l train and we鈥檒l play a good match and link-up with the players and have fun in the matches,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 send my greetings to the fans.鈥�
Born in Baghdad, Kasim spent his youth career at Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur and has played at Brighton, Luton, Macclesfield, Swindon and now Northampton Town. He was on the verge of moving to Swansea in 2016 for 拢1 million ($1.4 million). He has won 18 international caps and was the star for Iraq at the 2015 Asian Cup when they finished fourth.
Yaser Kasim apologizes for previous Iraq no-shows as he prepares for 萝莉视频 return
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