PROFILE: AMJED KALAF

THE KID FROM KUT

BLESSED WITH PACE, POWER AND POISE, AMJED KALAF IS ONE OF THE BRIGHTEST LIGHTS IN IRAQ’S NEW GOLDEN GENERATION. NAMED MVP AT THE AFC U-22 CHAMPIONSHIP, THE STAGE IS SET FOR EVEN BIGGER ACCOLADES TO COME. By: Daniel Pordes Photos: World Sport Group

hen Amjed with them, they made me play as a Kalaf was just goalkeeper – I was pretty good,” he adds, a child living with a smile. in the eastern With, and in some cases, in spite of Iraqi city of his brothers’ assistance, Kalaf began to Kut he already develop his skills and duly joined Kut’s knew exactly U-14 side aged just 12. what he wanted “These were the best times in football, Wto be in the future: a footballer that could playing U-14 and U-16 for Kut FC. You shake a country and a continent. feel invincible at the age and all you want “I told my family I would become a great to do is play,” he says. football player, the best in Iraq and the But it was also a difficult time for the best in Asia,” Kalaf recalls. Kalaf family with the death of Amjed’s A boast that was met by laughter and mother, leaving his father Kadhim, a derision from his older brothers Alaa and soldier, to raise his three sons and two Mohammed who themselves were already daughters alone. on the books at local side Kut FC. “My father supported me and assisted “They told me, ‘You won’t become as me every step of the way, I owe good as us,’ and when I played together everything to him. Except my football

AFC QUARTERLY 19 PROFILE: AMJED KALAF

skills – he wasn’t really a footballer – for those although Farhan admits it was a gamble for in every group stage fixture at the 2010 AFC Top Left AFC U-19 Bottom Left Captaining Left Against China Above Celebrating Championship 2010 Al Shorta during the 2014 during March’s AFC Iraq’s AFC U-22 I have to say thanks to God,” Kalaf says. both player and coach. U-19 Championship, however, these were AFC Cup Asian Cup qualifier Championship success After progressing to Kut’s U-19 side, news “It was quite a risk for him, yes, but also for bittersweet tournaments for Kalaf as Iraq twice of Kalaf’s ability had spread and Kareem me, too, to play a 16-year-old in the first team. failed to advance to the knockout stage. Farhan, then the coach of Iraqi Premier At first, the fans shouted at me, ‘What is this? “Although it was great to have my first the quarter-finals. MVP award. I’m hoping the performances there League side Al Shorta, decided to take the Who is this? This is Al Shorta a famous club experiences with the national team, they were “I had the feeling on the day that I would will help my progression as a player to go on to 16-year-old ‘kid’ from Kut for a trial. in Iraq – who is this kid you have brought to sad memories as we lost most of our games score a goal. I told all my team-mates, I just achieve even bigger and better things.” “I told him before the trial game, ‘Here’s the us?’ ” and did not go round to the second stages,” knew I would get a goal against Japan,” And since that tournament Kalaf has field, show me what you can do.’ And after Farhan pauses and beams, “I said, ‘I have says Kalaf. recalls Kalaf. continued to go from strength to strength, and that first match had ended, I slowly turned to brought Amjed Kalaf.’ ” But two years later, he had his first taste of And with just six minutes of the goalless after captaining Al Shorta in the AFC Cup, the the team manager and said, ‘Get him signed Although Farhan is no longer with the club, national team action, as under coach Hakeem game remaining at the Seeb Sports Complex, winger finally got his first chance with the men’s to a contract,’ ” recalls Farhan. the move paid off as in the 2012/13 season, Al Shakir, Iraq made it to the 2012 WAFF the ball broke to Kalaf midway inside the senior team in their crucial 2015 AFC Asian Cup Amjed Kalaf “The team manager looked at me startled Shorta won the Iraqi Premier League title for Championship final in Kuwait. Japan half and with a lung-busting run he was qualifier against China. and said, ‘This is Al Shorta Club, he’s just the first time since 1998 and for just the third And although Kalaf was a late substitute in away, past two defenders and sliding the ball Needing to win to confirm their place in the a kid.’ And I repeated, ‘I don’t care; get him time in their history. the final against Syria, clocking up a quarter of under the despairing goalkeeper’s dive and finals, Iraq secured a comfortable 3-1 win in Nationality: signed to a contract!’ ” Not only was Kalaf the club’s top scorer, but an hour of play for the senior side who fell to a into the back of the net. a performance of attacking verve and pace Iraq Now a team manager with the U-16, U-19 he also now wore the captain’s armband and 1-0 defeat, he still felt he had not been given After defeating Korea Republic in the semi- often lead by a marauding Kalaf who played and U-22 national teams, Farhan insists even was first to lift the league championship trophy his full chance in Iraqi colours. finals and then coming out on top once more a key role in Iraq’s crucial second goal as his DOB: at that young age, he could see straight away aloft on the final day of the season. But a little over a year later and under the against Saudi Arabia, Iraq won the inaugural pull-back from the right flank was eventually 5/10/1991 he had on his hands a rare player with a gift. “I love Al Shorta so much and I really same leadership of Shakir, Kalaf was selected championship and Kalaf was crowned the slammed home by Younus Mahmood. Position: “He’s what I call an ‘abnormal player’ wanted to win the league with them and for the AFC U-22 Championship despite not Abdullah Al Dabal MVP. With the senior side led by Kalaf’s mentor because he has God-given talent and athletic we finally did it last year. It was one of the featuring in a single game during the qualifiers. “I was so happy after the Japan game, it’s Shakir and both his and Iraq’s place in Australia Midfielder ability. I told my assistant, don’t tell him what happiest days of my life,” Kalaf says. And this time, after being given his chance my favourite game in the tournament as a assured, the 22-year-old is looking for more to do or give him too much instruction, leave And Kalaf’s development as a player did in a starting role on the right wing for the group player – better than the final - I scored the success before he considers things longer-term. Current club: him to play freely and express himself,” says not go unnoticed by national team selectors stage opener against Saudi Arabia, Kalaf put winner and helped my team get through to the “All my brothers and sisters are now married. Al Shorta (Iraq) Farhan. as the pacey winger evolved his game and the competition on notice by terrorising the semi-finals,” he adds. I’m the only not married yet,” he says. “Because “Step-by-step, I said, he will become the he progressed through the ranks at the opposing full-back and supplying two assists “We then went on to win the U-22 AFC football is more important for me now, I’m still Previous clubs: best player in the Iraqi championship.” continental level. as Iraq claimed a comprehensive 3-1 victory Championship after doing well and showed young and I want to achieve something before Kut FC (Iraq) Instead of going through the youth system, An appearance at the 2006 AFC U-16 Kalaf’s dominance continued to grow as Iraq we’re one of the best in Asia. It was the best settling down. I want to be the best player in Kalaf was promoted straight to the first team, Championship was followed by participation posted win after win before meeting Japan in tournament of my career so far, and I got the Asia.”

AFC QUARTERLY 21