Milutinovic´s Iraq side to face Poland, Egypt

Asian champions Iraq will face Poland and Egypt in newly-appointed veteran Serbian coach Bora Milutinovic’s first games in charge, an Iraq Football Union (IFU) official said Thursday.

“The Iraq team will meet Poland in a friendly in Cape Town on June 9 as part of our preparations for the Confederations Cup,” IFU deputy chief Najih Humoud told AFP.

“We will also play Egypt, although the date of the match has yet to be finalised.”

Milutinovic, who has led five different countries at five consecutive World Cups, on Wednesday completed a deal to manage Iraq at the Confederations Cup in South Africa this summer and takes up his new post on April 16.

Humoud said Milutinovic’s contract could be extended if Iraq perform well in the tournament.

The experienced Serbian’s appointment came two months after Brazilian Jorvan Vieira was sacked as coach just four months into his second spell in charge for failing to win a game at the Gulf Cup.

Iraq, who will not play in the 2010 World Cup finals after failing to qualify, made it to the Confederations Cup by winning the Asian Cup in 2007, when the side was led by Vieira.

Milutinovic led World Cup hosts Mexico in 1986, Costa Rica in 1990, the United States in 1994, Nigeria in 1998, and China in 2002.

Egypt, as reigning African champions, will also play at the Confederations Cup, which will be played between June 14-28.

Iraq face hosts South Africa, European champions Spain, and New Zealand in the competition, regarded as a tune-up event ahead of the 2010 World Cup that will also be played in South Africa.

Italy, Brazil, and the United States will complete the Confederations Cup line-up.