BANGKOK, May 26: Brazilian Jorvan Viera has been named coach of the Iraqi national team for the Asian Cup, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Friday.

Viera flew to the Jordanian capital Amman late on Thursday 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 Gulf Cup in Jan, an AFC official said.

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.—Reuters