With three Bundesliga professionals in the starting XI, Japan have suffered a surprise upset loss to the Iraqi “Lions of Mesopotamia” in their second group stage fixture of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Eintracht Braunschweig winger Youssef Amyn was among the players featuring in the XI of Iraqi trainer Jesus Casas as the Iraqis snatched a 2-0 half-time lead and didn’t concede until deep into second-half injury time.