The classy 23-year-old winger joined the Jets in September last year as an injury replacement for midfielder Shaun Ontong.

Since then his 17 appearances for the Jets have included a cracking goal from 25-yards in the final round of the regular season.

His eye-catching form earned him a new one year contract at EA Stadium and he's repaid the faith with two goals in this pre-season including a well-taken effort on Sunday against Sydney United.

Abbas was a squad member of the Iraqi national team that lifted the Asian Cup trophy in 2007. He then turned up in Australia after playing in a 2008 Beijing Olympics qualifier in Gosford for the Iraqi U23s.

The winger then sought asylum in Australia and subsequently joined Marconi in the NSW Premier League where his touch on the ball was clearly a class above.

What he needed was toughening up. And that's exactly what's happened, as he explained to au.fourfourtwo.com.

"It's different here to Iraq," he said. "It's stronger, it's different players, more technique, work hard, not easy here. And you've got to be strong mentally and physically. It's everything.

"If you play more, you get more experience. And Branko [Culina] is good. When you train with a different coach, you learn different things."

In one of the more memorable atmospheres in Olyroo history, the Aussies defeated Iraq just down the road from Newcastle at Bluetongue Stadium in 2008. The waterfront ground  was a sea of green as supporters of Iraq made for a fantastic ambience. 

"We lose that day so everyone not happy about losing but it's very nice because of all the [Iraqi] supporters," recalled Abbas, now 23.

He is also eyeing the 2011 Asian Cup for Iraq - who qualify as reigning champions - to relaunch his international career under a new coach.

That may present Culina with a problem as the A-League does not go into recess during the Qatar tournament.

Presently Iraq does not have a national team coach, said Abbas, although a Serbian coach is on their radar.

He added: "Of course I want to stay here but I have to work hard [in order to] find a club in Europe. I want to go to Europe. I have to work hard here and then look out to Europe.

"It's been good. It was right thing for me I move to Australia. It's a nice country and nice people. Everything is nice."

And nice is the operative word for Abbas who is hoping to be presented with his Australian citizenship soon.

He was once jailed for nine days and had his head shaved along with the rest of the national team by the former Saddam regime after losing a game to Egypt.