SOCCER : Iraqi Coach Is in a Precarious Situation

Ammu Baba, a former Iraqi army major turned soccer coach, says he is the “most worried man in the world.” If Iraq’s soccer team loses to Japan on Thursday at Doha, Qatar, it could end his career in sports.

“If my team wins and goes to the United States, I get the laurel,” Baba said. “If we lose, I will get the stick.”

Iraq (1-1-2) probably will qualify with a victory over Japan (2-1-1). Japan and Saudi Arabia (1-0-3), which plays Iran on Thursday, have five points each in the final round of Asian qualifying. South Korea (1-1-2), which plays North Korea (1-3), is tied with Iraq and Iran with four points.

“The laurel can be anything: money, car, a new house,” Baba said. “And the stick will surely be my sacking.”

The top two teams qualify for the World Cup in the United States next summer. Iraq is seeking to avenge its loss in the Gulf war, break its international isolation and restore national morale.

Baba said he has only one wish:

“Victory over Japan,” he said, “so that I can tell my president (Saddam Hussein), ‘Here I am with American visas for your soccer team.’ ”

Hussein’s oldest son, Odai, heads Iraq’s soccer federation.

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Four of the six teams in Europe Group Four still are in contention for the two qualifying places. Former Czechoslovakia (3-1-4) is expected to beat Cyprus (2-6-1) today in Prague and close in on Belgium (7-2), which leads with 14 points. Romania (6-2-1) is second with 13, followed by Wales (5-2-2) with 12.

Russia, Greece, Norway and Sweden have already qualified.

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Preparation for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Australia moved into high gear following the arrival in Sydney of both teams’ top players, who had been playing professionally in South America or Europe.

Sunday’s game is the start of a home-and-home, total-goals series that will be completed at Buenos Aires on Nov. 17. The winner will qualify for the World Cup.