Iraqi national team player Amjad Atwan raised the ambitions of the Lions of Mesopotamia after the important victory Iraq achieved over Bahrain 2-1 at the start of its journey in the Arab Cup Qatar 2025.

Atwan said: "The Iraqi team delivered great performances against Bahrain, everyone was at their best, and the players fulfilled their duties on the field to the fullest. Thank God, our efforts were crowned with an important victory that will have a significant impact on our path in the Arab Cup."

He added: "The Iraqi national team has previously played with two strikers, and this was also applied in the training before the match. The team was effective in the attacking line and the other lines, and the work continues to improve the team's overall situation so that we are ready for the global playoff."

He continued: "The Bahraini national team is a hardworking team and should not be underestimated at all. Therefore, the victory achieved can be a foundation for many things, especially since we focused on performance before the result. Thank God, the team was good, and we can double the performance in the Arab Cup."

Regarding the great pressure on the players, Atwan said: "A football player usually faces pressure, especially since the fans look for good performance. The Iraqi national team must deliver the best levels, and this is something we are used to and it will not affect us."

He concluded by saying: "We ask the fans to continue supporting us, and we, in turn, have spared no effort. The team has a lot of work ahead, and we promise them that we will always live up to their expectations. Certainly, our primary goal remains to achieve the dream of qualifying for the World Cup for the second time in history."