Manaf Younis Explained

Manaf Younis
Fullname:Manaf Younis Hashim Al-Tekreeti[1]
Birth Date:16 November 1996
Birth Place:Tikrit, Iraq
Height:1.90 m
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Al-Shorta
Clubnumber:4
Years1:2016–2018
Clubs1:Salahaddin
Years2:2019–2022
Clubs2:Al-Karkh
Goals2:3
Years3:2020
Clubs3:Al-Shorta (loan)
Years4:2022–
Clubs4:Al-Shorta
Caps4:56
Goals4:3
Nationalyears1:2021–
Nationalteam1:Iraq
Nationalcaps1:14
Nationalgoals1:1
Club-Update:14 July 2024
Nationalteam-Update:19 January 2023

Manaf Younus Hashim Al-Tekreeti (ar|مَنَاف يُونُس هَاشِم التِّكرِيْتِيّ; born 16 November 1996) is an Iraqi professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Iraqi Premier League club Al-Shorta and the Iraq national team.

Younis scored the winner in the 123rd minute of the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup final, handing Iraq the trophy over Oman

Club career

Early life and Career

Manaf was born in Tikrit, in the Saladin Governorate. His father died when Younis was 8 years old, and he was raised by his mother and older brother.[2] He started his career in Salahaddin SC, where he impressed with his strength and aerial ability, which led to him often being deployed as striker. He made his debut in the first round of the 2016–17 Iraq FA Cup, scoring after 46 seconds against Al-Mohandessin SC. He spent two and a half seasons with his hometown club, before moving to Al-Karkh

Al Karkh

On January 23rd 2019, Al-Karkh SC announced the signing of Manaf Younis[3] .He was part of the team as the club finished an impressive 6th position in the league in his first season. In March 2020 Manaf signed for Al-Shorta on loan until the end of the season.[4], however, that season was abanoded due to the Covid-19 virus.

In December of 2020, Younis scored his first goal for Al-Karkh, rescuing a point in his team's 2-2 draw with Al-Mina'a SC.[5]

Younis helped the team win the 2021–22 Iraq FA Cup, he started the final as Al-Karkh beat Al-Kahrabaa to win their first ever title.[6]

Al-Shorta

Ahead of the 2022-2023 season, Younis returned to Al-Shorta in a deal worth 360 Million Iraqi Dinars.[7] He scored his first goal in December against his former club Al-Karkh, in the 93rd minute to win the match 3-2. Younis played 31 matches for Al-Shorta in his first season with the club en route to winning the Iraqi league title.

Younis renewed his contract with Al-Shorta ahead of the 2023-2024 season.[8] Younis suffered a hand injury which required surgery in November, during a league match against Erbil SC.[9] Younis missed several matches due to injury, but returned in late September. He was once again a crucial figure in the squad that season, as the club went on to win the league, and the cup with the defender playing in 28 matches throughout the season.

International career

In November 2021, Younis was called up to Iraq as part of their 2021 FIFA Arab Cup squad. He made his debut in the starting line-up for the national team in their opening match against Oman.[10]

Younis was called up to the Iraqi squad for the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup. January 19 2023, he scored his first international goal in the stoppage time of extra-time in a 3–2 win over Oman in the final, to earn his country their first title in the competition since 1988.[11]

Younis was called up to the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Jordan and Oman. He started the match against Jordan, helping the team to a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw.[12]

Honours

Al-Karkh

2021–22

Al-Shorta

2022–23, 2023–24

2023–24

2022

Iraq

2023

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021: List of players: Iraq . . 4 . 4 December 2021 . 12 December 2022.
  2. Web site: الشرقية تزور منزل لاعب المنتخب الوطني العراقي مناف يونس . . 25 January 2023 . 24 November 2024. Al Sharqiya visits the home of the Iraqi national team player, Manaf Younis.
  3. Web site: في خطوة لتعزيز صفوف فريق كرة القدم وفريق كرة السلة في نادي الكرخ.. ادارة النادي تتعاقد مع لاعب نادي صلاح الدين الشاب (مناف يونس) والذي يلعب بمركز قلب الدفاع.. وكذلك تم التعاقد مع المحترف الامريكي (فريمن) القادم من كندا.. التوفيق للنجمين في قادم الايام ويكونوا اضافة متميزة للنادي. . Facebook . Al-Karkh media . 24 November 2024.
  4. News: مناف يونس. 9 March 2020. AlShortaNews. Arabic. 4 December 2021.
  5. Web site: Al-Karkh 2 Al Mina'a 2 . 24 November 2024.
  6. Web site: الكرخ بطلا لكأس العراق للمرة الأولى في تاريخه . 16 July 2022 . 24 November 2024.
  7. Web site: الشرطة يضم مدافع الكرخ مناف يونس باكثر من 350 مليون دينار . 24 November 2024.
  8. Web site: الشرطة يمدد عقد مدافعه لموسم إضافي . 20 September 2023 . 24 November 2024.
  9. Web site: عملية ناجحة للاعب العراقي مناف يونس . 24 November 2024.
  10. News: IRQOMA. 3 November 2021. FIFA. English. 3 December 2021.
  11. News: Manaf Younis nets winner to help Iraq edge out Oman 3-2 in Gulf Cup final. Gulf News. 19 January 2023.
  12. Web site: كاساس يعلن قائمة المنتخب الوطني لمواجهتي الأردن وعُمان. 24 November 2024. Casas announces the national team list for the matches against Jordan and Oman.