Brazilian Viera appointed Iraq coach for Asian Cup

BANGKOK, May 25 (Reuters) Brazilian Jorvan Viera has been named coach of the Iraqi national team for the Asian Cup, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said today.

Viera flew to the Jordanian capital Amman late yesterday to sign a short-term contract, which will see him replace Akram Ahmed Salman, who was sacked following a two-month investigation into Iraq's early exit from January's Gulf Cup, an AFC official told Reuters.

Iraq will play in Group A of the July 7-29 tournament with hosts Thailand, Australia and Oman. Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia will host matches in Groups B, C and D.

Viera has worked extensively in the Middle East and has coached in Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Soccer has not escaped the daily violence in Iraq, where federation officials have been killed and referees and players kidnapped since the US-led invasion in 2003.

The Iraq Football Association last year refused to accept the resignation of Salman after he and his family received death threats.

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