Anthony Correia lauds Utrecht’s Iqbal after bold World Cup display

Anthony Correia, the new head coach of FC Utrecht, praised Iraqi midfielder Zidane Iqbal after the World Cup, where Iraq endured a 3‑0 defeat to France, noting the youngster’s composure on a global stage. Correia said he watched Iqbal’s play with particular interest and described the performance as ‘really cool’ to see on such a big platform. The trainer highlighted Iqbal’s composure, saying, “He was enormously calm on the ball,” as reported to the Algemeen Dagblad. He added that the midfielder seemed to be playing with friends rather than under pressure. Correia called it ‘really cool’ to watch Iqbal on such a big stage, noting that the player “just played at the World Cup”. He emphasized that the experience alone was valuable for the young talent. When asked about the midfielder acquired from Manchester United, Correia replied, “He will just come back here if he isn’t sold, but I have no influence on that.” The comment suggests the club’s limited control over the player’s future.

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Iqbal now has the same opportunity as all FC Utrecht squad members to showcase his abilities during the pre‑season preparation. The coach indicated that the club will monitor his development closely. Last season, Iqbal was sent back to Jong Utrecht before the winter break after a disagreement with former head coach Ron Jans. The move was intended to address the conflict but limited his involvement with the reserve side.

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In the Jong Utrecht team, Iqbal managed only a few appearances because of a lingering injury. The setback curtailed his match rhythm ahead of the senior campaign. Looking ahead, Correia expects Iqbal to compete for a regular spot as the Dutch side gears up for the upcoming season, hoping the World Cup exposure translates into consistent performances.