BAGHDAD Iraq and Kazakhstan are likely to fight a two-horse race for the right to reach the second round of the Asian World Cup qualifying competition when their first round group gets underway today.

The opening fixtures pit hosts Iraq against Macao and Kazakhstan against Nepal. The first six matches are being played in Baghdad.

Adnan Hamad, Iraq's coach told Iraq's **** Al-Thawra **** daily that his side faced a tough task and admitted he only knew a little bit about Kazakhstan and nothing about Macao or Nepal.

"I saw Kazakhstan play and was able to draw the broad lines of their playing tactics," Hamad said.

Iraq's preparations have been hit by a number of canceled friendlies against Iran, South Korea, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Syria. Instead they only played a warm-up friendly with a Lebanese team which ended in a 0-0 draw and three warm-ups with the Iraqi youth team which they won 3-2, 3-0 and 2-0.

But Hamad has called up three professionals: Qahtan Chitheer who plays for Al-Ittihad in the United Arab Emirates, Abdul Wahab Muhammed who plays for Lebanon's Al-Ikha and Abbas Ubeid who plays in South Korea.

(Reuter)