Manaf Younis #6

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It was Younis who scored the dramatic winning header in the 3-2 win over Oman - in the final minute of extra-time - to see Iraq lift the Gulf Cup trophy for the first time in 35 years in 2023. The defender had a premonition he would score. "A day before the game, Fahad Talib and I were praying in the room. I finished my prayers and told Fahad, ‘What will happen if tomorrow, in the last minute, I head it in and we win!’" Born in Tikrit, Younis was brought up by his mother after his father passed away when he was only eight. Originally a striker, his 1.90m frame and aerial ability convinced coaches to play him in defence after breaking into the Salah-al-Deen first team. He moved to Baghdad in 2019, signing for Al-Karkh, a club under the presidency of the late Sharar Haidar, who had a policy of scouting players from the provinces. It was there Munaf made his name, winning the Iraqi Cup in 2022 and breaking into the national side. He later joined Al-Shorta, winning three consecutive league titles from 2023.

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