U-20 World Cup opponent focus: Iraq

Finished as runners-up in the 2012 U-19 Asian Championship after losing on penalties to South Korea in the final.

Former U-20 World Cup stars

Hussein Saeed, Laith Hussein, Emad Mohamed

World Cup appearances

Three

Best World Cup position

Qualifying for the quarter-finals in 1989

Number of foreign-based players

Zero

Coach: Hakeem Shaker

-Nicknamed ‘Al-Hakeem’ (the wise), the 50-year-old Shaker has been in the field since 1991.

-In 2012, he achieved a rare record by becoming the only man ever to manage three Iraqi national teams at the same time (Iraq senior team, Olympic team and Youth team).

Players to watch

#8 Mohannad Abdul-Raheem…top marksman, Asian Young Player of the year 2012 and Player of the Tournament in the 2012 U-19 Asian Cup

Goal vs. Korea in U-19 Asian Cup final

Goal and assist vs. Australia

Solo goal for former club Karkh in Iraqi league

#3 Ali Adnan…Iraq senior team’s first-choice left-back

Dramatic 93rd equalizer vs. England in World Cup

#15 Durgham Ismail…skilfull left-footed winger who is also an established Iraq first team player

Freekick goal for Iraq first team vs. Yemen in Gulf Cup