Omar Al Somah
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Omar Jehad Al Somah | ||
| Date of birth | 29 March 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Deir Ezor, Syria | ||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 3 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Al Ahli | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2008 | Al Futowa | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008–2011 | Al Futowa | 39 | (22) |
| 2011–2014 | Al Qadsia | 68 | (43) |
| 2014– | Al Ahli | 85 | (85) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2007–2008 | Syria U20 | 2 | (1) |
| 2008–2012 | Syria U23 | 10 | (5) |
| 2012– | Syria | 15 | (7) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21 September 2018 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 October 2018 | |||
Omar Jehad Al Somah (Arabic: عمر جهاد السومة; born 28 March 1989 in Deir Ezor) is a Syrian football player who is currently playing for Al Ahli in the Saudi Professional League.[1] Nicknamed in Syria as Al ʿAqqid (Arabic: العكيد) which is a historical civil character in Damascus known for participating in the resistance against occupiers and for being courageous, helpful and generous. Widely regarded as the best striker in Asia, Al Soma has 130 goals in 117 games for Al Ahli.
Al Somah began his football career at the age of 12 joining the youth academy of Al Futowa (Deir ez-Zor) which won in 2007/2008 the title of the Syrian Under 18 top division,[2] Al Somah won the top scorer of the league that season with 29 goals [3] and he also got his first international goal with Syria U-19 against Iraq in 2008 AFC U-19 Championship.
In July 2012, he participated in three games with Nottingham Forest F.C., scoring once in a month-long trial.[4] He impressed manager Sean O'Driscoll enough that the club were looking to sign him on a permanent basis but he was denied a work permit and the club wasn't able to sign him.[5]
In July 2014, Al Somah joined Al Ahli club in the Saudi League, which is widely considered to be the top league in the Arab world. In Saudi Arabia, he is highly praised for his numerous achievements. He went on to become the top goal-scorer in the league for the years 2015, 2016, and 2017 consecutively. He played a great role in Al-Ahli's 2016 Saudi League win; their first in 32 years.
Club career
Al Futowa
He became a regular in the first team at the age of 19 scoring 13 goals making him the third top scorer in his debut season in Syrian Premier League 2008–09, in 2009/2010 Al Somah helped the relegated Al-Fotuwa to win the title of the Syrian second division north and promoted back to top division. He scored 5 goals in the 2010–11 The season was suspended at the half of March and after a few months Al Somah had joined Al Qadsia from Kuwaiti Premier League.
Al Qadsia
While at Al Qadsia, Al Somah helped winning 8 trophies with Al Qadsia, 2 trophies in Kuwaiti Premier League from 2012 and 2014, 2 trophies in Kuwait Emir Cup from 2012 and 2013, 2 trophies in Kuwait Crown Prince Cup from 2013 and 2014. 2 trophies in Kuwait Super Cup from 2013 and 2014.and AFC Cup finalist in 2013, after making 52 appearance and scoring 37. He joins Al Ahli from Saudi Professional League in July 2014.
Al Ahli
2014–15 season
In July 2014, Omar Al Somah joined Al Ahli on a three-year contract. On 11 August 2014, soon after manager Christian Gross gave him his debut against Al Hazm in Crown Prince Cup with 1-0 victory. On 16 August 2014, he scored his first goal and Hat-trick in Saudi Professional League for Al Ahli SC against Hajer. The match was ended with 6-1 result.
On 9 January 2015, he renewed his contract with Al Ahli for 2 more years until 2018.
On 13 February 2015, Omar scored the first goal for Al Ahli in the final of the Saudi Crown Prince Cup against Al-Hilal and won the title. It was his 18th goal in a season with Al Ahli in 17 matches. On 17 February 2015, Somah helped Al Ahli to qualify in the group stage of AFC Champions League by scoring the first goal in a penalty kick against his former club Al Qadsia.
On 15 May 2015, Omar Al Somah ended the 2014–15 season as the top scorer in the Saudi Professional League with 22 goals, but unfortunately he didn't win the league title with Al Ahli SC. He also continued his good form in 2015 scored 5 goals in 6 matches. He finished first season with Al Ahli SC scored 31 goals (22 goals in Saudi Professional League, 3 goals in Crown Prince Cup and 6 goals in AFC Champions League) in 33 matches. He won Al Ahli player of the year by fans.
2015–16 season
In August 2015, he started the second season with Al Ahli SC against Al-Taawon FC. He didn't score and the game ended 0-0. On 27 August, Omar Al Somah scored the first goal for his club in the second match against Al Khaleej. The match was ended in favour of Al Ahli SC 4-0. On 18 October 2015, he scored the first hat-trick of its second season against Al Nassr, Al Ahli SC won that with result 4-2. He also continued his good form in Crown Prince Cup and led Al Ahli SC to win the match against Al-Ittifaq. At the end of the October, he won the player of the month award.
Omar Al Soma continued his good with Al Ahli scoring goal against Al Shabab and Al Ittihad. Four day after Al Ahli's victory against Al Ittihad, he kicked Al-Faisaly player Abel Camara without ball. That match was drawn by 1-1. After the match, he was banned by Saudi Football disciplinary Committee for two matches. On 14 December 2015, after two matches ban, he scored a great Hattrick against Al Raed in matchday 11. He played nine matches in first round of league out of 14, scored 10 goals.
After a surprising defeat against Najran SC in league, he with his team made a strong comeback and won all the remaining games of the league. He scored in all the last eight games of the league, including two against 13 times champions and second place Al Hilal the match that decided the league champion.
In 2015–16 league, he totally scored 27 goals in twenty two matches and helped Al Ahli to win the Saudi Professional League for the first time in 32 years.
On 29 May 2016, Al Soma scored the decisive goal in the extra-time of the 2016 King Cup final against Al Nassr FC. The match was ended by 2-1.
2016–17 season
On 8 August 2016, he scored the equalizing goal against Al-Hilal and helped the team winning 4-3 on penalties in the 2016 Saudi Super Cup at Craven Cottage in London, United Kingdom. the first title with the new Manager José Manuel Gomes.
On 14 August 2016, he scored twice against Al-Ettifaq at the opening of 2016–17 season, with this brace he was the fastest foreigner player in the world who passes the 50 goals mark in only 45 League games.
On 21 October 2016, Al-Ahli lost the second match in the league for the first time in two years against Al Nassr FC. It was also the first match in which he didn't score any goal.
With the return of the manager Christian Gross, Omar Al Somah scored a hat-trick against Hajer Club in the Saudi Crown Prince Cup Quarter finals on 25 October 2016.
Four days after on 29 October 2016, he scored his second super Hat-trick in the 7th round against Al-Khaleej, with this he became the Saudi Professional League best foreigner top scorer in its history with 59, and the most Hat-trick scoring player with 7. He continued his good form & scoring against Al-Wahda. The match was ended with a result 4-0.
On 25 November 2016, he scored against Al Hilal in the league, but the team lost 2-1. With this defeat, Al Hilal won in Jeddah after eight years.
In December 2016, Al Soma scored six goals in six matches, 4 goals in five league matches and 2 goals in a cup semifinal match.
On January 27, 2017, he scored twice against Al Shabab FC, but got booked by the referee that is why he was absent from the derby Jeddah against rivals Al Ittihad. He made a comeback on February 9 against Al Qadisiya, but unable to save a team from the disastrous defeat. After this painful defeat, Al Ahli lost another match in the league and this time at home against Al Nassr by 2-0.
After two consecutive defeats in the league, he started the 2017 AFC Champions League on a high note, scored on a match day one against Uzbek Club Bunyodkor. The match was ended in the favor of Al Ahli by 2-0.
On 28 February 2017, Omar scored a decisive goal from a free-kick against Iranian Club Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C. before the five minutes of the stoppage time and helped the team to remain at the top position of the group C at the end of match day two. After Asian game, he didn't stop from scoring and this time scored against Al-Khaleej.
He played 24 games in league and scored 24 goals. For the third time in a row, he won the Top scorer Award in Saudi League. In Asian Champions League, he played 5 games in group stage and scored 4 goals.
On 18 May, he played the King Cup and scored a goal. At the end the team lost the final. After King's Cup, he injured and out from the last two game of the season.
International career
He played for the Syrian U-19 national team in the AFC U-19 Championship 2008 in Saudi Arabia and a member of the Syrian U-23 national team. He was a part of the Syrian U-23 national team in the Mediterranean Games 2009 in Italy and Asian football qualifiers for 2012 Olympics Round 4 (play-off round). He was a part of the Syria national football team in the 2012 WAFF Championship in Kuwait.
Due to policital reasons, he did not play for Syria again until 2017 in the World Cup Qualifiers. On 31 August 2017, he played in 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification against Qatar in Malaysia. He didn't score in the game, but Syria won the match by 3-1. On 5 September, Syria has an important game against Iran at the end of this qualification. If they win and South Korea lose against Uzbekistan, they'd qualify for the World Cup. Syria took lead in early minutes, but the home team came back quickly. Syria was losing the game, but in extra time and last moment of the game, Al Soma scored the decisive goal. It was his first goal for his country. The match was ended by 2-2. He led Syria into the Asian play-off for the first time. Against Syria's play-off opponents Australia, Al Soma scored the equalising goal during the first leg in Malaysia. He then scored early in the second leg in Australia to put Syria into a shock lead, but Australia won 2-1 in extra time to end Syria's World Cup qualifying hopes.
Style of play
Omar Al Somah plays an attacking role, most often playing as Centre-Forward, and is known for his finishing and free kick ability. He is also an accurate set piece specialist and is renowned for his bending free kicks. Uniquely, his height, strength, jumping ability and heading technique have given him an edge in winning aerial challenges for balls, with many of his goals often being headers, he also scores with both feet.[6] His playing style have led him to be nicknamed the "Syrian Ibrahimović".
Statistics
As of 7 April 2018
| Club | Season | Saudi Premier League | Crown Prince Cup | Saudi King Cup | Saudi Super Cup | AFC Champions League | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Al Ahli | 2014–15 | 22 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 7 | 6 | 33 | 31 |
| 2015–16 | 22 | 27 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | – | – | 3 | 1 | 31 | 34 | |
| 2016–17 | 24 | 24 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 37 | 40 | |
| 2017–18 | 14 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 1 | 17 | 12 | |
| Career total | 82 | 84 | 10 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 12 | 118 | 117 | |
International goals
- Scores and results list Syria's goal tally first.[7]
| No | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 5 September 2017 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran |  | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2. | 5 October 2017 | Hang Jebat Stadium, Krubong, Malaysia |  | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3. | 10 October 2017 | Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia | | 1–0 | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 4. | 24 March 2018 | Basra Sports City, Basra, Iraq |  | 1–0 | 2–2 | 2018 International Friendship Championship |
| 5. | 6 September 2018 | Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan |  | 1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 6. | 10 September 2018 | Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |  | 1–1 | 1–2 | Friendly |
| 7. | 11 October 2018 | Bahrain National Stadium, Rifaa, Bahrain |  | 1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly |
Honours
Club
- Al Futowa
- Syrian Premiere Division Under 18 League: 2007–08 [2]
- Syrian Second Division. Northern Group: 2009–10
- Al Qadsia
- Kuwaiti Premier League: 2011–12, 2013–14
- Kuwait Emir Cup: 2012, 2013
- Kuwait Crown Prince Cup: 2013, 2014
- Kuwait Federation Cup: 2013–14
- Kuwait Super Cup: 2013, 2014
- AFC Cup 2013: Runner-up
- Al Ahli
International
- Syria
Individual
- 2007–2008 Syrian Premiere Division Under 18: Top Scorer (29 Goals)[3]
- 2013–14 Kuwaiti Premier League: Top Scorer (23 Goals)
- Saudi Professional League Player Of The Month : October 2014, October 2015
- Saudi Professional League Golden Boot : 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17
- Al-Ahli Player of the Year: 2014–15, 2015–16
References
- ↑ "الأزرق دوت كوم". Alazraq.com. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- 1 2 "دوري الشباب السوري". Kooora.com. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- 1 2 "دوري الشباب السوري". Kooora.com. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ↑ "Nottingham Forest trialists hope to do Arab football proud". Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- ↑ McDaid, Paul (22 August 2012). "Nottingham Forest fail to land work permits for Kuwaiti trio". Sport360.com. Archived from the original on 27 August 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
- ↑ "Saudi Pro League Statistics 2014/2015". Slstat.com. 28 March 1989. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ↑ "Al-Somah, Omar". National Football Teams. Retrieved 5 September 2017.