By RYAN TOLMICH
For the second time in three months, Justin Meram is set to represent Iraq in a major tournament.
The Columbus Crew announced Monday that Meram has been called up for the 2015 AFC Asia Cup, which is set to take place in Australia from Jan. 9-31. The tournament, which is held every four years, will send its winner directly into the 2017 Confederation’s Cup in Russia. Iraq previously won the tournament in 2007.
Meram will join up with the team Dec. 20 in Dubai for a training camp that will include friendlies with Kuwait (Dec. 23) and Uzbekistan (Dec. 25, 28). The team will then travel to Australia for a pre-tournament friendly against Iran on Jan. 4.
Iraq will then enter the tournament in Group D where they will take on Jordan, Japan and Palestine with the top two teams earning a spot in the knockout stages.
Meram’s call-up is his second overall after the Crew midfielder made three appearances in November’s Gulf Cup of Nations where he became the first MLS player to represent Iraq on the international stage.
—
What do you think of Meram’s callup? How do you expect Iraq to fare at the Asia Cup?
Share your thoughts below.
OWS is on the BEIN online package (Roku, etc.) for those that want to see this tournament.
This is going to be a fun tournament. It’s going to be a huge difference of coverage since it’s in an English speaking country. Good thing I have One World Sports.