Alaa Abdul-Zahra

Alaa Abdul-Zahra
Personal information
Full name Alaa Abdul-Zahra Khashen Al-Azzawi
Date of birth (1987-12-22) 22 December 1987
Place of birth Baghdad, Iraq
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position Second striker, Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Al-Zawraa
Number 10
Youth career
Al-Difaa Al-Jawi
2003-2004 Al-Zawraa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Al-Zawraa 30 (14)
2006–2007 Mes Kerman 11 (4)
2007 Shabab Al-Ordon 2 (1)
2008–2009 Al-Merrikh 18 (11)
2009–2010 Al-Khor 35 (24)
2010–2011 Al Kharaitiyat 42 (16)
2011–2012 Al-Wakrah 10 (4)
2012 Qatar SC 9 (2)
2012–2014 Duhok 47 (31)
2014 Tractor Sazi 4 (0)
2014–2015 Al-Shorta 17 (6)
2015– Al-Zawraa 49 (29)
National team‡
2004–2006 Iraq U-20 8 (9)
2006–2008 Iraq U-23 28 (15)
2007– Iraq 106 (15)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 9 July 2017.
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13 June 2017

Alaa Abdul-Zahra Khashen Al-Azzawi (Arabic: علاء عبدالزهرة خشَان العزاوي‎‎ , born 22 December 1985 in Baghdad, Iraq)[1] is an Iraqi football player who currently plays for Al-Zawraa in the Iraqi Premier League. He is also a member of Iraq national football team. He can be deployed as a attacking midfielder or a second striker or striker. His nickname is Kaka of Iraq or Iraqi Kaka.

Early life

Affectionately nicknamed 'the Kaká of Iraq'[2] Alaa's road towards fame looked relatively straightforward. At the age of 16, he got his playing career off to a dream start when he was discovered and signed by Iraqi powerhouses Al-Zawraa.

He first made his mark on the international scene with Iraq's youth team at the 2004 AFC Youth Championship in Malaysia. Two years later, he would repeat this feat by figuring prominently at the 2006 AFC Youth Championship, where the striking prodigy finished as the tournament's second-top scorer with four goals despite his team's early exit at the quarter-final stage. From there, he went on to showcase his predatory talents in Asia's qualifying final round for the Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008 by topping the scoring charts with a six-goal haul.

Club career

Al-Zawraa

In 2004 at the age of 16, Alaa Abdul-Zahra made a move to Al-Zawraa. He helped Al-Zawraa to qualify for the AFC Champions League in 2005. A year later he won with them the Iraq Super League in 2006.

Mes Kerman

After the AFC Youth Championship 2006, Alaa Abdul-Zahra signed a one-year contract with the Iranian Premier League club Mes Kerman. He played 11 times for them and scoring 4 goals , before moving to play in Jordan.

Shabab Al-Ordon

Alaa Abdul-Zahra signed with Duhok FC Before the start of Iraq Super League (2007-2008) but he didn't go to Iraq, Instead he signed another contract with the Jordanian club Shabab Al-Ordon, Claimed that signing with Duhok FC was incomplete.

On 29 December 2007 in his first appearance with Shabab Al-Ordon, Alaa Abdul-Zahra scored his first goal with his new team against Hussein Irbid in Jordan Cup, helped his team to win 3–2 and qualify to the quarterfinals, then on 3 Jan 2008 Alaa Abdul-Zahra played his 2nd and last match with Shabab Al-Ordon this season against Al-Arabi Irbid in Jordan League, which they won 2–3.

Al-Merrikh

Alaa Abdul-Zahra and his Olympic team's mate Saad Attiya signed a Contract with Sudan giant club Al-Merrikh. He won Sudan Premier League 2007–2008, and scored 9 goals.

Al-Khor

After the success in the Sudanese League, Alaa signed a contract with the Qatari side Al-Khor which he played with 14 league matches scoring eight goals.

Al Kharaitiyat

After the great months he spend in Al-Khor Alaa moved to another Qatri club this time with Al Kharaitiyat .Scoring 16 goals in 42 occasions, the club finished 8th in the league that season.

Al-Wakrah

In June 2011, Alaa signed a one-year deal with Qatar side Al-Wakrah playing 10 times and scoring 3 goals , the team finished 7th in the league.

Qatar SC

In Jane 2012, Alaa signed a Half Season with Qatar side Qatar SC and scored 2 goals.

Duhok

Before the start of the 2012-13 season, Abdul-Zahra signed with Duhok FC and made a total of 33 appearances in the 2012-13 and 2013–14 Iraqi Premier League scoring 31 goals.

Tractor Sazi

On 20 July 2014, Abdul-Zahra joined Tractor Sazi with signing a two-year contract with the club. He played his first match for Tractor Sazi on 8 August 2014 against Zob Ahan. Just after a month with Tabrizi side, decided leave Tractor Sazi He said several times that he likes to play as a striker instead of the Midfielder. He officially released on 10 September 2014.[3]

Al-Shorta

Alaa Abdul-Zahra signed with Al-Shorta in September 2014 and scored 8 goals.[4]

Al-Zawraa

Alaa Abdul-Zahra returned to Al-Zawraa in September 2015 , he became instrumental to the team as Al Zawraa went on to win the Iraqi League.[5]

Statistics

As of 9 July 2017

Club Season Iraqi Premier League Iraq FA Cup AFC Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Al-Zawraa
2016–17 252000623122
Career total 252000623122

International career

He first made his mark on the international scene with Iraq's youth team at the 2004 AFC Youth Championship in Malaysia. Two years later, he would repeat this feat by figuring prominently at the 2006 AFC Youth Championship, where the striking prodigy finished as the tournament's second-top scorer with four goals despite his team's early exit at the quarter-final stage. From there, he went on to showcase his predatory talents in Asia's qualifying final round for the Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008 by topping the scoring charts with a six-goal haul.

At senior level, he featured in two of Iraq's eight qualifying matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup at South Africa, coming off bench to play in a goalless draw against Pakistan before featuring in the 2–0 loss to Qatar.

Style of play

Abdul-Zahra a playmaker and offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals, through their vision, technique, ball control, creativity, and passing ability. and More recently play striker.

International goals

[6][7]

Honours

Club

Al-Zawraa
Shabab Al-Ordon
Al-Merreikh

Individual

International

Individual

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑
  3. ↑
  4. ↑
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ "Ala'a Abdul-Zahra". National Football Teams. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  7. ↑ Amin, Tareq (27 March 2011). "Iraq defeats North Korea 2/0 in friendly". Iraqi News. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
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