Injury rules out Ali Al-Hamadi as Arnold reveals replacement

Iraq's national team has suffered a major blow just one day before the start of the Gulf Cup 'Gulf 27' in Jeddah, as striker Ali Al-Hamadi has left the Lions of Mesopotamia squad heading to England due to injury.

A source close to the national team revealed that Al-Hamadi suffered an injury while training with his club Sheffield Wednesday during the final training sessions before joining the national team delegation. Upon arriving in Jeddah and undergoing medical examinations by the national team's medical staff, both the player and the coaching staff realized that the injury would prevent him from participating in the tournament.

After consulting with the medical staff, Australian coach Graham Arnold has decided to allow the player to leave the squad and return to his club to complete his rehabilitation programme, prioritising his safety and avoiding any risk.

Arnold has not delayed in finding a replacement, as he has urgently decided to call up Erbil's standout striker Mustafa Qabeel to compensate for Al-Hamadi's absence from the national team for the Gulf Championship.

Mustafa Qabeel has emerged as one of the standout names in the Iraqi league over the last two seasons with Erbil SC, where he has delivered impressive performances this season, making him one of the team's top scorers and a key attacking asset.

Kabeel has been one of the standout stars of the Iraqi U23 national team in recent times, but his impressive performances with Erbil this season prompted coach Graham Arnold to make the decision to call him up directly to the senior national team. The player will join the national team delegation in Jeddah in the coming hours to be ready for the match against Oman.

The sporting community hopes that Qabeel will be a good replacement for Al-Hamadi's absence, especially as he has the enthusiasm and desire to prove himself in the Black Ravens shirt in his first Gulf Championship.