Iraq head into Asian Cup confident they can go far. Lions of Mesopotamia last won the tournament in 2007. LONDON: Srecko Katanec was bullish as Iraq prepare for their Asian Cup opener against Vietnam on Tuesday. The Lions of Mesopotamia enter the tournament hopeful they can do well in the UAE. And while some coaches have been shy about appearing to be over-confident Katanec, who has been at the helm for just over three months, is clearly not one of them as he was only accentuating the positives in Abu Dhabi. “What I can say is that we are prepared. Our (training) camp was good and the players are where I want them to be,” the Iraq coach said. The Slovenian refused to be drawn into setting a target for his team even as comparisons are made with the title-winning side of 2007 and the one that finished fourth four years ago. “The first match is always very important and that is what our focus is on now. If you ask me for a target, I will tell you that it is to win every game and if we do that, you know what it mean at the end. “I know the lineup, I’m fully convinced by my team, but as I said, we prepared very well but you never know as every game is a different story. “We have qualities and if our players give everything, we will play a good game. About the result, you never but I am very confident with the team.” Iraq’s main Group D rivals are Iran who easily beat Yemen 5-0 on Monday.