OBETZ, Ohio – Despite a hectic week that included a fired head coach, visa problems and a canceled international trip, Justin Meram may be heading to the Olympics.
While several teammates traveled for national team duty, the Columbus Crew SC midfielder and Iraq international was surprisingly sitting at home during last week’s international window. Iraq head coach Yahya Alwan was in charge of selection, and Meram said he has been “kind of out of favor” with the boss, though he is not sure why.
“I scored two goals under him and was playing really well,” Meram said. “Even when he didn’t play me, I came back here and scored in 9 seconds [against the New York Red Bulls on Nov. 22]. It just proved that it wasn’t about me. It was his decision. It was unfortunate, but that’s just the way it works internationally.”
After a disappointing home World Cup qualifier against Thailand on March 24 that saw Iraq need a stoppage-time goal just to earn a draw, Iraq fired Alwan, potentially opening a door for Meram.
Olympic coach Abdul Ghani Shahad was appointed interim manager, and his first call was to Meram and Columbus head coach Gregg Berhalter to try and bring Meram in for the team’s must-win match against Vietnam on March 29.
“The new coach, when he was appointed, the first thing he asked was if I could get on the first flight; I’m one of his guys,” Meram said. “I got the call and had to scramble and put pieces together. Gregg was contacted, emails were sent. They called me in and agreed they were going to try to get me on the first flight out. Then the issue came with getting my visa on my passport.”
But in Iraq, Meram discovered, working visas are not accepted on weekends. That meant he would have to wait until Monday to arrive in the country, with the game one day later.
“Even if I flew out on Friday from the States, I wouldn’t be allowed in until Monday morning,” he said. “They thought about it, and the coach didn’t think I’d be ready physically to get there Monday afternoon and play Tuesday. … So it was cool getting the call, but it was a crazy 24 hours.”
Meram’s disappointment quickly dissolved. Iraq beat Vietnam, 1-0, to finish second in their group behind Thailand and advance to the final round of Asian World Cup qualifying, also qualifying for the 2019 Asian Cup.
Meram was also informed that he may be one of the three overage players Iraq take to Brazil this summer to join the U-23 team in the 16-team Olympic competition.
“I just got word, so I’ve got to see if it’s legit or not,” he said. “I know [Crew SC] have a letter. It’s nothing guaranteed; there are a lot of steps left.”
While he’s not getting ahead of himself, he admitted it would be a dream to go to the Olympics. Iraq's only other appearance came in Athens in 2004, when they made a stirring run to the semifinals before losses to Paraguay and Italy kept them from medalling.
“Iraq going to the Olympics is pretty special, considering seeing what happened with the US [failing to qualify],” he said. “A country like ours, where there’s so many hardships, [is] going to be playing on a massive stage. So it’s amazing. I hope I get my name called to represent them. Hopefully it works out with me able to go.”
