Youssef Al-Nasrawi describes Gulf exit as shocking and confirms future ambition

Sports Iraqi national team player Youssef Al-Nasrawi discussed his experience with the Lions of Mesopotamia during the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia, describing the team's elimination from the group stage as unusual, while affirming his aspiration to achieve championships with the national team. Al-Nasrawi stated in remarks conveyed by his club, Ried of Austria, that participating in the tournament was a somewhat bitter and peculiar experience, explaining that the players did not know what the outcome would be after the match ended, before the elimination of the Iraqi team was decided by a draw. He added that the Iraqi team tied with its Omani counterpart in goal difference, direct confrontation, and even in the number of yellow cards, with eight cards for each team, which led to resorting to a draw to determine the qualifier. Al-Nasrawi pointed out that the tournament, despite the method of exit, was a valuable experience for him, especially with his renewed representation of the Iraqi team and playing in front of large crowds, stressing that the team looks to the upcoming phase with the goal of competing for championships. Al-Nasrawi, 19 years old, participated in his second international match with Iraq during the match against Kuwait in the second round of the tournament, after coming on as a substitute in the 59th minute, presenting a notable performance and coming close to scoring a goal. The player had previously participated with the Iraqi team in a friendly match against Andorra last June, while missing the matches against Oman and Saudi Arabia due to a technical decision by coach Graham Arnold. At the club level, Ried Austria extended Al-Nasrawi's contract until the summer of 2028, in light of his participation during the current season in five matches in the Austrian League, during which he scored one goal and assisted two.