Iraq has sacked its national team coach Akram Ahmed Salman just three months before the start of the Asian Cup. The Iraqi Football Association accepted the recommendation of a fact-finding committee which conducted a two-month investigation into the failure of the team at the 18th Arabian Gulf Cup held in January and "released" the coach from his responsibilities. Current Olympic side coach Yahya Alwan is favourite to take over the reins and lead the team to the 7-29 July Asian Cup, co-hosted by Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.