Iran to lock horns with Iraq in quadrangular

AFC - IRAQ national team, led by their passionate East German coach Bernd Stange (pictured), left for Syria on Thursday for a three-day camp. The Middle Eastern side will then go head-to-head against fierce rivals and hosts Iran, Cameroon and Uruguay in a friendly tournament to begin next week.

Iraq will start their Asian Cup qualifying matches later in the year, the highly talented squad scheduled to take on Bahrain, Malaysia and Myanmar in Group F. The first round matches will commence in Malaysia, with the second round of games due to swing to the Bahrain National Stadium.

After being forced out of the country due to the war, Stange is delighted to be back with the side he had built such a positive rapport with since he took charge almost a year ago.

The former Perth Glory coach is confident preparations for the Asian Cup will get back on track soon, expressing utter certainty that his side will give his Group F opponents a real run for their money.

"I am really happy that after the terrible events of the war in Iraq there is some good sports news," said Stange on AP.

"The trip augers in a 'new beginning' and now provides us with a chance to prepare for World Cup qualifying games."

After the quadrangular in Tehran, Iraq will then travel to Bad Woerrishofen in South Germany for an intensive training camp from August 27 to September 13.