Jalal Hassan #12

Profile

Iraq's 35-year-old captain and undisputed No 1 made his 100th international appearance before the home World Cup qualifying tie with the UAE last November, becoming only the third Iraqi goalkeeper (after 1986 World Cup captain Raad Hammoudi and 2007 Asian Cup winner Nour Sabri) to achieve the landmark. Worked as a labourer when he first started playing, recalling how he would train barefoot while wearing his work clothes. The Diwaniya-born keeper was first spotted at 19 and fast-tracked into the national team after impressing with the youth setup, making his international debut against Jordan 15 years ago. Jalal has appeared in three Asian Cups as a starter and at a record six Gulf Cups, captaining Iraq to victory at the 25th edition in Basra as Iraq lifted the trophy for the first time in 35 years. The veteran remains a key part of the Lions of Mesopotamia, holding the joint record for the most appearances in World Cup qualifiers for an Iraqi goalkeeper (23) and the most clean sheets (14).

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