Saad Jassim

Iraqi footballer Saad Jassim began his career with his school team before joining the youth squad of Al-Zawraa in 1974. Despite being a key player for the side, Jassim was forced to transfer to the Army team due to his military service, representing the side from 1977 to 1982. He then played for Al-Rasheed for two seasons before rejoining Al-Zawraa in 1985. Towards the end of his career he scored a hat-trick for Al-Zawraa in their 8–0 win against Al-Tijara. Jassim, however, was forced to retire from the sport soon afterwards after suffering a spinal injury.

Jassim also had a lengthy international career, playing in 29 matches for the Iraq national team. He made his international début in 1977, representing the Iraq Select XI that played against the English club Derby County in Baghdad during their tour of the region in December of that year. The following year Jassim played for the youth team that won the Asian Championships in Bangladesh, with him scoring five goals. After playing in the football tournament at that years’ Asian Games in Bangkok, he was called up for the Olympic squad for the 1980 Moskva Games. Jassim then played in the 1981 World Cup qualifiers in Riyadh, and was part of the team that won gold at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.