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The legend Younis Mahmoud is considered the best striker in the history of the Iraqi football team, and the creator of its glories in the 2007 Asian Nations Cup, which was held for the first time in 4 countries: Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The former striker, nicknamed “The Thug,” left his mark in that tournament by scoring the most expensive goals of his career against the Saudi national team in the final, giving his country the first Asian title in its history.
On Saturday, the AFC published on its Instagram account a video clip under the title “AFC Cup Champions,” in which it documented the former Iraqi star’s decisive goals in the 2007 edition.
Younis scored the equalizer in the opening match against Thailand 1-1, but he refrained from scoring until the quarter-final match, when he scored a brace against Vietnam that took Iraq to the semi-finals.
Captain Younis Mahmoud's teammates succeeded in overcoming South Korea's obstacle on penalties 4-3, and set a date with Saudi Arabia in the final.
“Al-Saffah” was about to make history after he jumped over everyone and headed the ball, scoring a goal that cost him the first continental title in the history of “Lions of Mesopotamia.”
In addition to the historic cup, Mahmoud was crowned top scorer in the tournament, shared with Saudi Yasser Al-Qahtani and Japanese Naohiro Takahara (4 goals).
Younes retired in 2016 after a long career with the national team (148 international matches, 57 goals) and many experiences with the clubs of Al-Dibs, Kirkuk, Al-Talaba, Al-Iraqiya, Al-Wahda of the Emirates, Al-Sadd, Al-Khor, Al-Gharafa, Al-Arabi, Al-Wakra of Qatar, and Al-Ahly of Saudi Arabia.
Mahmoud (40 years old) is currently the second vice president of the Iraqi Football Association, Adnan Darjal.
Iraq is preparing for its ninth participation in the Asian Nations Cup, which Qatar will host from January 12 to February 10 of next year.
The Mesopotamian Lions team came in Group Four alongside Japan, the 2019 champion, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Iraq will begin the competitions by facing Indonesia on January 15 at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, and 4 days later it will play a difficult match against Japan at the Education City Stadium.
He will play his last match in the group stage against Vietnam on January 24 at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.
