The last outings for both these sides was back in March, with the Tri Colors getting the better of Japan 2-1, while the Lions of Mesopotamia suffered 2-0 defeat against Russia.
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Colombia and Iraq will square off in an international friendly at Mestalla, in Valencia on Friday. The last outings for both these sides was back in March, with the Tri Colors getting the better of Japan 2-1, while the Lions of Mesopotamia suffered 2-0 defeat against Russia. Iraq have qualified for the finals of AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, starting in January and will be looking to test their skills against higher ranked opponents and build some confidence ahead of the continental tournament. Jesus Casas’ men are placed in Group D alongside Indonesia, Japan and Vietnam.
¡𝙃𝙤𝙮 𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙨𝙤 𝙚𝙣 𝙀𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙖!
🆚 🇮🇶
🗓️ Viernes 16 de junio
🕓 2:00 p.m. (hora COL)
🏟️ Estadio Mestalla, Valencia
🏆 Fecha FIFA
📺 @GolCaracol @CanalRCN #TodosSomosColombia 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/p2mhtQAd4o— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) June 16, 2023
Colombia failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup following a sixth-place finish in the CONMEBOL qualifying table. Therefore, Nestor Lorenzo was appointed as the team-boss in June and since then, the Argentine tactician has lead the Tricolors to four wins and two draws from six friendlies. In March, Lorenzo’s men played two friendlies, securing a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against South Korea in Ulsan before defeating Japan 2-1 at Yodoko Sakura Stadium thanks to John Duran’s 33rd-minute equaliser and Rafael Mauray’s winner on the hour-mark. The result extended Los Cafeteros’ unbeaten run to nine games, winning seven matches in the process.
Iraq, on the other hand, are also in pretty good form, having lost only two of their last ten outings in all competitions, while winning six matches in the period. After failing to qualify for the World Cup, the Lions of Mesopotamia competed in the Gulf Cup in January, securing top spot in Group A, before getting the better of Qatar 2-1 in the semi-final and defeating Oman 3-2 in the showdown at Basara International Stadium to lift the title for four a fourth time. Meanwhile, Iraq’s seven-game unbeaten run came to an end in March, when they lost to Russia in a friendly courtesy of two unanswered goals from Anton Miranchuk and Sergey Pinyaev.
Colombia probable starting lineup: Vargas, Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Machado, Carrascal, Cuadrado, Lerma, Arias, Borre, Diaz
Iraq probable starting lineup: Hassan, Tariq, Nadhim, Younis, Bayesh, Attwan, Rashid, H. Ali, Iqbal, Hussein, M. Ali
Colombia
| Opponents | Score |
| Japan | 1-2 (W) |
| South Korea | 2-2 (D) |
| USA | 0-0 (D) |
| Paraguay | 2-0 (W) |
| Mexico | 3-2 (W) |
Iraq
| Opponents | Score |
| Russia | 2-0 (L) |
| Oman | 3-2 (W) |
| Qatar | 2-1 (W) |
| Yemen | 5-0 (W) |
| Saudi Arabia | 0-2 (W) |
The international friendly between Colombia and Iraq will take place at Mestalla on Saturday at 12:30 am IST.
| Colombia vs Iraq | Key Details |
| Date | June 16 (Spain) |
| Venue | Mestalla |
| Kickoff time in Spain | 9:00 pm (Friday) |
| Kickoff time in Colombia | 2:00 pm (Friday) |
| Kickoff time in Iraq | 10:00 pm (Friday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 12:30 am (Saturday) |
Football fans in Colombia can catch the live action via Caracol network, RCN Television, DIRECTV Sports Colombia and Deportes RCn en Vivo. Meanwhile, those in Iraq can watch the match on Al Iraqiya Sports and Al Raibaa TV.
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