Footballer of the Year. Iraq national team He made his international debut on 5 October 2001 in a World Cup qualification match against Saudi Arabia in Amman at the age of only 17 years and 23 days. On 15 June 2008 Nashat Akram scored a goal against China in China, to make an important 2 – 1 win for Iraq and gave a hope for qualifying to the next stage. In the Asian World cup 2014 qualifiers, he provided a crucial assist to Younis Mahmoud against China. In the following game, he scored a double in Iraq's 3–1 victory over Jordan to allow Iraq to advance to the final round of the Asian World cup 2014 qualifiers, and he also score a penalty in Iraq's 7–1 triumph over Singapore helping his country to seal the top spot in the group. He scored again, in Iraq's opening match in the final round of Asian World cup 2014 qualifiers against Jordan, though the match ended in a 1–1 stalemate. In the Asian World cup 2014 qualifiers he went on to feature against Oman, Japan (albeit as a substitute), and against Australia. Before the match against Australia, he was part of Iraq's starting XI in their friendly match against Brazil. Iraqi Olympic team After the 2003 war, even though he was one of the youngest players in the squad, he was named the Iraqi Olympic team captain by Adnan Hamad and impressed during the Emir Faisal Abdullah Friendship Cup in Abha, In 2004 Nashat Akram helped his team to qualify to the 2004 Olympic Games and he was part of the team in the finals, Iraq Olympic team reached the 4th place losing to Italy 0–1 The 2007 Asian Cup Nashat Akram was a major factor in the team, his great vision and mentality helped the team to win the 2007 Asian Cup; Nashat Akram was part of almost all Iraq's goals in the Asian Cup. He scored the opening goal against the 3–1 victory over Australia in the 23rd minute, and also made the assist for the 2nd goal by Hawar, and was part of the third goal. Nashat Akram won the Most Valuable Player award in 2 matches, the first against Australia and the 2nd against Saudi Arabia in the final. In 2007 Nashat Akram was Asian Footballer of the Year 3rd place. International goals Scores and results list Iraq's goal