Zico’s Iraqi squad hit by six goals from Brazil

MALMÖ, Sweden - Agence France-Presse

Brazilian players celebrate a goal during a 6-0 victory over the Iraqi team. REUTERS photo

Brazil knocked Iraq, coached by former Brazil great Zico, for six in the two countries’ first ever full international meeting on Oct. 11.

Chelsea midfielder Oscar gave the 2014 World Cup hosts a 2-0 lead going into the break in the friendly, with Real Madrid striker Kaka putting the South American giants further ahead shortly after the restart.
Russian-based Hulk added Brazil’s fourth just before the hour mark with Santos striker Neymar and Lucas, set to join big-spending French side Paris Saint Germain in January, completing the 6-0 rout.

“I feel great and I am happy to be back in the national squad, to be playing with young players,” said Kaka, who was involved for the first time since Brazil’s quarter-final exit at the 2010 World Cup.
The Iraqis turned to Sweden to stage this game with world body FIFA refusing to allow them to play home matches following a chaotic match against Jordan in the city of Arbil, capital of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Iraq gears up for a World Cup qualifier against Australia on Oct. 16.

Brazil fitted the bill nicely, particularly as they were otherwise free in an international week having already qualified as hosts for 2014.

The auriverde won an August friendly 3-0 against Sweden in Malmö. They also lifted their first World Cup in 1958 at the Rasunda stadium in nearby Solna.

Meanwhile, Zico said he is owed four months’ pay by the team’s football federation, adding he is disappointed by the “lack of consideration” for his work.

He told the Brazilian sports daily Lance that the federation started delaying his payments last October.
Zico said the federation apparently hasn’t been able to make the payments because of “a problem with FIFA.” The former Japanese national team, Fenerbahçe, Olympiacos and CSKA Moscow coach said his assistants also haven’t received their salaries regularly.