Hussein Abdulghani Explained

Hussein Abdulghani
حسين عبدالغني
Fullname:Hussein Omar Abdulghani Sulaimani
Birth Date:21 January 1977
Birth Place:Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Position:Left-back
Youthyears1:1992–1995
Youthclubs1:Al-Ahli
Years1:1995–2008
Caps1:287
Goals1:30
Years2:2007
Clubs2:Al-Rayyan SC (loan)
Caps2:1
Goals2:0
Years3:2008–2009
Caps3:21
Goals3:0
Years4:2009–2017
Clubs4:Al-Nassr
Caps4:205
Goals4:9
Years5:2017–2018
Clubs5:Vereya
Caps5:14
Goals5:0
Years6:2018–2019
Clubs6:Ohod
Caps6:11
Goals6:1
Years7:2019–2020
Caps7:29
Goals7:0
Totalcaps:568
Totalgoals:40
Nationalyears1:1996–2018
Nationalteam1:Saudi Arabia
Nationalcaps1:138[1]
Nationalgoals1:5
Pcupdate:19:13, 17 September 2020 (UTC)
Ntupdate:20:56, 20 November 2018 (UTC)

Hussein Omar Abdulghani Sulaimani (Arabic: حسين عمر عبد الغني سليماني; born 21 January 1977) is a Saudi Arabian former professional footballer who played as a left-back in the Saudi Professional League.

Club career

Al-Ahli

Abdulghani began his career at Al-Ahli, joining the youth team in 1992. He originally started his career as a forward but was moved to full-back, a position he would mainly play at for the remainder of his career, by Amin Dabo, the youth team manager at the time.[2] Abdulghani made his Al-Ahli debut on 26 September 1995 in a Federation Cup tie with Al-Qadsiah. The match ended in a 2–1 loss.[3]

On 25 November 1995, Abdulghani made his league in the derby match against Al-Ittihad that ended in a 2–1 win.[4] He made 24 appearances in all competitions in his first season with the club as Al-Ahli finished runners-up in the league. In his second season, Abdulghani missed matches for Al-Ahli due to the national team's participation in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup. On 25 December 1997, Abdulghani scored his first league goal for the club against Al-Wehda.[5] On 11 March 1998, Abdulghani started the Crown Prince Cup final against Al-Riyadh and provided the assist for Masaad's golden goal in the 97th minute, as Al-Ahli won their third Crown Prince Cup title.[6] This was Al-Ahli's first silverware since 1985. On 15 November 1999, Abdulghani made his continental debut for Al-Ahli against Syrian side Al-Jaish in the 1999–2000 Asian Cup Winners' Cup.[7]

Abdulghani missed most of the 2001–02 season with Al-Ahli through injury after injuring his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty. He was substituted in the 84th minute in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Thailand on 21 October 2001.[8] He made his return on 15 March 2002 in the Gulf Club Champions Cup match against Emirati side Al-Shabab.[9] On 22 March 2002, Abdulghani started in the 2–0 win against Omani side Dhofar as Al-Ahli won their second Gulf Club Champions Cup.[10] On 27 December 2002, Abdulghani was suspended for six matches for comments he made towards the referee, Mamdouh Al-Mirdas, following the loss against Al-Hilal.[11] On 3 February 2003, Abdulghani started the Arab Unified Club Championship final against Tunisian side Club Africain as Al-Ahli won their first Arab title.[12]

Following the retirement of Mohammed Al-Jahani, Abdulghani was named as the club captain starting from the 2004–05 season.[13] His first final as club captain ended in a loss in the 2005 Federation Cup final against Al-Hilal.[14] Six months later, Abdulghani also captained the side in the 2006 Crown Prince Cup final loss against Al-Hilal as well.[15] On 9 February 2007, Abdulghani captained Al-Ahli as they won their third Federation Cup, defeating derby rivals Al-Ittihad in the final by 3–0 at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.[16] Two months later, on 27 April 2007, Abdulghani captained Al-Ahli as they won their fifth Crown Prince Cup title, defeating derby rivals Al-Ittihad in the final once again.[17]

In May 2007, Abdulghani was loaned to Qatari side Al-Rayyan on a short-term deal.[18] He made one appearance in the Emir of Qatar Cup quarter-finals. Abdulghani missed a penalty in the penalty shoot-outs as Al-Rayyan were eliminated by Al-Arabi. On 4 April 2008, Abdulghani was sent off in the league match against Najran, and was suspended for two matches. On 26 April 2008, his suspension was lifted.[19] On 27 April 2008, Abdulghani made his final appearance for Al-Ahli in the 3–1 loss against Al-Shabab in the 2nd leg of the King Cup quarter-finals.[20]

Neuchâtel Xamax

On 10 July 2008, Abdulghani joined Swiss based Neuchâtel Xamax on a three-year contract for a reported fee of $1 million.[21] His transfer to Europe had made him the third Saudi footballer to play in Europe, after Sami Al-Jaber and Fahad Al-Ghesheyan and the first to play in the Swiss Super League. He made his debut on 2 August 2008 as a 70th minute in the league match against Aarau.[22] On 17 August 2008, he made his first start for the club against Grasshoppers.[23] He made 21 appearances in all competitions in his only season at the club.

Al-Nassr

On 3 July 2009, Abdulghani returned to Saudi Arabia and joined Al-Nassr on a three-year contract.[24] This move did not go down well with Al-Ahli supporters, who held up a banner saying "Traitor 24" during the league match between Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr on 22 November 2009.[25] On 25 August 2009, Abdulghani made his debut for Al-Nassr as well as score his first goal in the 1–1 draw against Al-Ettifaq.[26] On 9 February 2010, Abdulghani injured his right knee in the Crown Prince Cup quarter-final match against derby rivals Al-Hilal and was ruled out for the rest of the season.[27] He made 22 appearances and scored 3 goals in all competitions helping Al-Nassr to a 3rd place finish, their highest since 2002. On 10 October 2010, Abdulghani made his return in a friendly match against Al-Diriyah.[28] On 16 October 2010, Abdulghani made his return as a substitute in the 2–1 win against former club Al-Ahli.[29] On 28 September 2011, Abdulghani was suspended for three matches for elbowing former Al-Ahli teammate and Al-Faisaly goalkeeper Tisir Al-Antaif.[30] On 18 May 2012, Abdulghani captained Al-Nassr in the 2012 King Cup final loss to Al-Ahli.[31] On 25 May 2012, Abdulghani renewed his contract with Al-Nassr for another two years.[32] During the 2013-14 season, Abdulghani made 23 appearances and assisted 7 goals in the league helping Al-Nassr win their first league title since 1995.[33] He also captained Al-Nassr to a 2–1 win over derby rivals Al-Hilal in the 2014 Saudi Crown Prince Cup final.[34] Their first Crown Prince Cup title since 1974. On 8 April 2014, Abdulghani renewed his contract with Al-Nassr.[35] On 11 August 2014, Abdulghani was suspended for two matches following an altercation with Abdulmalek Al-Khaibri after a penalty shootout loss in the 2014 Saudi Super Cup.[36] During the 2014–15 season, Abdulghani made 22 appearances, scored twice and assisted three times helping Al-Nassr win a second consecutive league title.[37] On 11 June 2015, Abdulghani was suspended for six matches after an altercation with a fan following the penalty shootout defeat to Al-Hilal in the 2015 King Cup final.[38] On 9 July 2016, Abdulghani renewed his contract with Al-Nassr for two years.[39] On 28 June 2017, Al-Nassr and Abdulghani mutually agreed to release him from his contract.[40]

Later career

On 13 September 2017, Abdulghani signed a one-year contract with Bulgarian First League club Vereya.[41] Becoming the first Saudi to play in the Bulgarian First League. He hoped to take a chance to play for the Saudi Arabia national team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[42] On 11 June 2018, Abdulghani went back to Saudi Arabia to sign for the newly promoted Pro League side Ohod.[43] In January 2019, he returned to his former club Al-Ahli.[44] On 15 October 2020, Abdulghani announced his retirement.[45]

International career

Abdulghani was a regular member of the Saudi Arabia national team. He was on the national team that won 1996 AFC Asian Cup at age 19. He was selected for the 1998, 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. Abdulghani announced his retirement from international football after failing to lead his national team to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. On 6 October 2018, he received a call-up for a friendly match against Brazil.[46]

Career statistics

Club

Updated 26 January 2024.[47] [48]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Al-Ahli1995–96SPL1401090240
1996–97402060
1997–981013030161
1998–9921210222
1999–2000212203040302
2000–011412030191
2001–0230004070
2002–03182412090333
2003–0418240142364
2004–05120105271253
2005–061112082213
2006–071113090231
2007–0812110416131233
Total169131029216373628824
Neuchâtel Xamax2008–09SSL19020210
Al-Nassr2009–10SPL173001040223
2010–11130102052212
2011–121705020240
2012–13241204040341
2013–142301040280
2014–1522240206010352
2015–1618050105100291
2016–17801030120
Total1426190190163902059
Vereya2017–18BFL13010140
Ohod2018–19SPL11100111
Al-Ahli2018–19302070120
2019–201000070170
Total130200014000290
Al-Ahli Total18203029230373631724
Career total3672025048246682656834

International

[49]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Saudi Arabia1996180
1997210
1998220
1999142
200000
2001172
200250
200300
200441
200540
2006140
200730
200820
200980
201420
201840
Total1385

International goals

[50]

Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 22 June 1999 2–0 2–1 Friendly
2 9 July 1999 2–0 2–0 Friendly
3 8 February 2001 4–0 6–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
4 8 February 2001 Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam 5–0 6–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
5 14 October 2004 2–0 3–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)

Honours

Al-Ahli

1998, 2002, 2006–07

2001, 2002, 2007

2002–03

2002, 2008

Neuchâtel Xamax FCS

Al-Nassr

2013–14, 2014–15

2013–14

OHOD

Saudi Arabia

1996

1998, 2002

Group Stage

Group Stage

4th Place

Group Stage

Group Stageindividual

Other prizes

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hussein Omar Abdulghani AL SULAIMANI - Statistics at Saudi Team site . 29 July 2017 . 31 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210731151908/https://www.ksa-team.com/english/players.php?id=27 . live .
  2. Web site: الفتى الذهبي ظاهرة كروية تستحق الدراسة. 7 September 2018. 23 June 2020. 23 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200623094225/https://www.alyaum.com/articles/6050599/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%87%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9. live.
  3. Web site: اهداف قدساوية تهز الثقة الاهلاوية . 23 June 2020 . 23 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200623042303/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1995/SEPT1995/27-09-1995-8399/8399-01701.jpg . live .
  4. Web site: قمة الغربية اهلاوية . 23 June 2020 . 26 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200626042036/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1995/NOV1995/26-11-1995-8459/8459-02001.jpg . live .
  5. Web site: الاهلي يستعيد انفاسه في مرمى الوحدة . 23 June 2020 . 23 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200623062853/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1997/DEC1997/26-12-1997-9220/9220-01501.jpg . live .
  6. Web site: وعادت شمسك الذهب! . 23 June 2020 . 25 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200625031127/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1998/MAR1998/12-03-1998-9296/9296-01301.jpg . live .
  7. Web site: الاهلي يستهل مشواره الاسيوي بافوز على الجيش. 23 June 2020. 25 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200625021932/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1999/NOV1999/16-11-1999-9910/9910-01901.jpg. live.
  8. Web site: رباط صليبي للشيحان و عبدالغني . 23 June 2020 . 26 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200626080520/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2001/OCT2001/22-10-2001-10616/10616-02001.jpg . live .
  9. Web site: الاهلي هزم الشباب الاماراتي بالصدمة . 23 June 2020 . 26 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200626060708/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2002/MAR2002/16-03-2002-10761/10761-02501.jpg . live .
  10. Web site: الاهلي في البحرين (وايد.. حلو (. 23 June 2020 . 23 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200623064354/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2002/MAR2002/23-03-2002-10768/10768-02501.jpg . live .
  11. Web site: عبدالغني شايل سيفه . 23 June 2020 . 23 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200623082913/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2002/DEC2002/28-12-2002-11048/11048-02901.jpg . live .
  12. Web site: بطل الكووس .. رفع الرووس . 23 June 2020 . 23 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200623064408/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2003/FEB2003/04-02-2003-11086/11086-02501.jpg . live .
  13. Web site: محمد شليه خلال مؤتمره الصحفي: برشلونة أو لاتسيو في مهرجان اعتزالي . 23 June 2020 . 26 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200626001250/http://www.al-jazirah.com/2004/20040825/sp12.htm . live .
  14. Web site: " الهــــلال " بطل كأس الامير فيصل بن فهد . 23 June 2020 . 25 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200625073138/http://www.alriyadh.com/99180 . live .
  15. Web site: الهلال يهزم الأهلي ويتوج بطلاً لكأس ولي العهد السعودي . 23 June 2020 . 20 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200620195916/https://www.albayan.ae/five-senses/2006-04-09-1.907851 . live .
  16. Web site: الأهلي بطلاً لكأس فيصل بفوز تاريخي على اتحاد جدة 3/صفر . 23 June 2020 . 26 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200626063239/https://www.albayan.ae/five-senses/2007-02-11-1.759041 . live .
  17. Web site: شمس الأهلي الجديد (تشرق) بكأس ولي العهد . 23 June 2020 . 18 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211218021554/https://www.alriyadh.com/245330 . live .
  18. Web site: حسين عبدالغني بعد انتقاله للدوري القطري يؤكد ل(دنيا الرياضة) . 23 June 2020 . 23 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200623042840/http://www.alriyadh.com/249125 . live .
  19. Web site: رياضي / رفع قرار الايقاف عن اللاعب حسين عبد الغني . 23 June 2020 . 25 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200625191728/https://www.spa.gov.sa/549900 . live .
  20. Web site: الشباب جدد فوزه على الأهلي . 23 June 2020 . 23 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200623064354/http://www.alriyadh.com/338143 . live .
  21. http://www.okaz.com.sa/okaz/osf/20080710/Con20080710208785.htm Abdulghani moving to Neuchâtel Xamax - Okaz newspaper
  22. Web site: XAMAX VS. AARAU 0 - 0 .
  23. Web site: XAMAX VS. GRASSHOPPERS 1 - 1 .
  24. Web site: النصر السعودي يتعاقد مع حسين عبد الغني لمدة ثلاث سنوات .
  25. Web site: أهلاويون يصفون عبد الغني بـ «الخاين».. وحسين:أنتم قلبي .
  26. Web site: الاتفاق والنصر يكرران نتيجة الموسم الماضي .
  27. Web site: النصر يفقد عبد الغني لنهاية الموسم .
  28. Web site: زينجا يطمئن على عبدالغني والقرني بالدرعية .
  29. Web site: النصر يعود للانتصارات من محطة الأهلي .
  30. Web site: إيقاف عبدالغني (3) مباريات وفيصل بن تركي يعلق على القرار .
  31. Web site: الأهلي برباعية يحرز كأس الملك .
  32. Web site: النصر يجدد لعبدالغني .
  33. Web site: عبدالغني حقق حلمه بلقب الدوري بشعار العالمي .
  34. Web site: حسين عبدالغني.. يحفر اسمه مع النصر بـ"أحرف من ذهب" .
  35. Web site: "عبد الغني" يعلن عدم اعتزاله ويجدّد عقده مع النصر على "بياض" .
  36. Web site: إيقاف حسين عبد الغني بعد واقعة السوبر السعودي .
  37. Web site: الغموض يكتنف القائد!! .
  38. Web site: إيقاف لاعبي النصر 12 مباراة وتغريمهم 110 آلاف .
  39. Web site: النصر يمدد عقد قائده عبدالغني لعامين إضافيين .
  40. Web site: النصر يوقع مخالصة نهائية مع حسين عبدالغني .
  41. Web site: Верея взе 40-годишен беĸ cъc 108 мача за Саyдитcка Аpабия . gong.bg . 12 September 2017 . bg . 13 September 2017 . 18 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211218021735/https://gong.bg/bg-football/parva-liga/multimedia/video/vereia-vze-40-godishen-bek-sys-108-macha-za-sauditska-arabiia-449289 . live .
  42. Web site: Звездата на Верея Хюсеин Сюлеймани пред БЛИЦ СПОРТ: Имам само една жена и пет деца, всички са от нея! . bg-BG . 9 June 2018 . 12 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142251/https://www.blitz.bg/sport/intervyu/zvezdata-na-vereya-khyusein-syuleymani-pred-blits-sport-imam-samo-edna-zhena-i-pet-detsa-vsichki-sa-ot-neya_383801.html . live .
  43. Web site: Saudi Arabia legend extends his remarkable football career by another season . en . 19 July 2018 . 17 October 2018 . 25 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181025073011/http://www.arabnews.com/node/1341831/sport . live .
  44. Web site: Hussein Abdul Ghani returns to Ahli . 14 January 2019 . 14 January 2019 . 14 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190114210205/https://naaju.com/saudi/hussein-abdul-ghani-returns-to-ahli/ . live .
  45. Web site: حسين عبد الغني يعلق حذاءه . kooora.com . ar . 15 October 2020 . 16 October 2020 . 18 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211218021734/https://www.kooora.com/?n=965243&o=n . live .
  46. Web site: Hussein Abdul Ghani is the oldest Saudi player to participate in a game . 17 October 2018 . 17 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181017204733/https://www.saudileaguenews.com/hussein-abdul-ghani-congratulates-saudia-fans-on-the-performance/ . dead .
  47. Web site: اخر تحديث لمباريات حسين عبدالغني مع الاهلي . 22 June 2020 . 25 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200625192802/http://www.al-raqi.net/showthread.php?t=33631 . live .
  48. Web site: HUSSEIN ABDUL GHANI . 22 June 2020 . 18 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200918211600/https://int.soccerway.com/players/hussein-abdul-ghani-sulimani/463/ . live .
  49. Web site: Hussein Omar Abdul Ghani Sulimani - Century of International Appearances . Mamrud, Roberto . Albakr, Naeim . . 22 January 2019 . 2 February 2023 . 28 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230128142646/https://rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sulimani-intl.html . live .
  50. Web site: (Hussein AL SULAIMANI) Goals . 22 June 2020 . 25 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200625050916/https://www.ksa-team.com/english/players.php?id=27&type=8 . live .