The Lions of Mesopotamia held the Bafana Bafana to a draw in the Confederations Cup inaugural match, after the latter squandered a host of scoring chances late in the second period.

"It was a stern clash and we salvaged a vital point, but we were not anywhere near our best," Mahmoud told Arab Radio and Television 'ART'.

"So many of our key figures took no part in the game, and a good number of new faces were named in the squad.

"We were aiming to clinch a point from the first game (against South Africa) and defeat New Zealand."

Iraq will also face European champions Spain, who are widely expected to go through from Group A, in their second Confederations Cup encounter.

On the other hand, Iraq keeper Mohammed Kassid is convinced that his team's match against minnows New Zealand is crucial.

"The result of our clash against New Zealand is of the utmost importance. If we claim all three points, we will have a substantial chance of reaching the next round," he said.