Bashar Resan One to Watch in AFC Asian Cup
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Five years on from helping Iraq win the AFC U-22 Championship in Oman, midfielder Bashar Resan has developed into a key player for the Lions of Mesopotamia as they look to impress in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Such is the talent of Bashar Resan, that the now Persepolis midfielder, first represented the senior side at his hometown club Air Force Club seven years ago as a 14-year-old.
Resan’s career has already taken him to bigger places, most recently competing in the 2018 AFC Champions League final. Next challenge for the 21-year-old is making his AFC Asian Cup debut with Iraq in January, where he is set to be one of the key players in the Lions of Mesopotamia setup, the-afc.com wrote.
Resan has represented Iraq in all age groups since first emerging as a top prospect as an early teenager. After helping the U-23 side become Asian champion, he made his debut for the national team in 2014 aged 17. He has since gone on to earn 18 caps. New coach Srecko Katanec has given the midfield player a key role in his starting XI as he prepares to take the Lions of Mesopotamia into the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
At 176 cm, aerial challenges are not Resan’s strongest point, but he makes up for it with his smart positioning. Meanwhile, his range of passing offers the team an outlet to unlock opposition defenses from deeper positions.
Having been plying his trade in Iran for the past 18 months, Resan will come up against a few of his current and former Persepolis teammates as Iraq prepare to face Team Melli in Group B. Although Katanec’s men are not amongst the top favorites for the title, the Iraqis have proven they are capable of upsets when they stunned the continent to lift the AFC Asian Cup title back in 2007.
