Radhi Shenaishil was full of praise for Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud following victory over Iran in the Asian Cup quarter-finals.
Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil praised the influence of captain Younis Mahmoud after guiding his team to the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a penalty-shootout victory over Iran.
The 31-year-old without a club since 2013 scored the goal that put Iraq 2-1 up in extra time, but the sides ended the additional 30 minutes tied at 3-3 following a frantic period of play.
Mahmoud s Panenka helped Iraq to a 7-6 win in the shootout, and Shenaishil was quick to recognise his skipper s contribution.
Younis essentially played four halves today and he played amazing, he said. We have a young squad and we need a leader. He s the type of player that opponents hate to play against and team-mates love to play with.
There was some doubt in the media about whether he should play or not, but I don t listen to them. As a coach I see what the player produces during training time and on the field.
I wish him all the best. He s a star and important for Iraq.
Shenaishil believes a red card for Iran defender Mehdrad Pooladi when Iraq were a goal down in the first half proved to be a turning point.
Pooladi initially looked to have escaped a red card after receiving a second yellow, but referee Ben Williams was reminded of the earlier booking by a host of Iraqi players.
I think the red card maybe meant their players lost some concentration, he continued. They were leading 1-0 and they should have been more relaxed.
I have all respect for the Iran team but they had too much pressure on them as players in the match.
Iraq will now meet South Korea in the semi-finals, and Shenaishil knows his side must recover quickly ahead of Monday s fixture.
Our main goal now is recovery, he added. We played four halves in this game and the main thing now is recovery ahead of the semi-final.
