Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Iraq go into next month’s AFC U23 Championship in China PR as the only side to have climbed the podium in both earlier editions of the competition, having won the 2014 title and finishing third in 2016.
Midfielder Bashar Resan was part of the squad on both occasions, and at just 21-years-old, he is still eligible to represent the Lions of Mesopotamia in China 2018.
In the inaugural event held in Oman, Resan was the youngest member of coach Hakeem Shaker’s squad, making his first appearance as a late substitute in the 3-0 opening match win against Saudi Arabia.
It was two years later in Qatar that the former Air Force Club player made his name as a key member of the side, playing in all matches as Iraq marched into the semi-finals before losing to eventual champions Japan. Resan fondly recalls the tournament.
“I represented Iraq a lot in the various age groups, especially the U23s, but the AFC U23 Championship is a very difficult competition, with strong teams. Especially the East Asian sides,” said the midfielder.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/iraq_squad.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/resan_iraq_1.html
