Al-Ittihad SC Aleppo

Al-Ittihad Sports Club of Aleppo (Arabic: نادي الاتحاد الرياضي الحلبي‎) is a professional multi-sports club based in the Syrian city of Aleppo, mostly known for its football team which competes in the Syrian Premier League, the top league of Syrian football. Being one of the most successful clubs in Syrian football history, Al-Ittihad won six Syrian football league titles and nine Syrian cups. In Asia, their best performance was in 2010 when they became champions of AFC Cup competition.

Al-Ittihad of Aleppo
Full nameAl-Ittihad Sports Club of Aleppo
Nickname(s)The Red Castle
Halab Al-Ahli
Founded20 January 1949 (1949-01-20)
GroundAleppo International Stadium
Capacity75,000
PresidentMoufid Mzayeek
Manager Kais Yâakoubi
LeagueSyrian Premier League
2018–194th
Active departments of
Al-Ittihad SC
Football Basketball

The club was founded in 1949 and received its license in 1953. They play their home games at the Aleppo International Stadium since its inauguration in 2008. The club have their own ground; Al-Ittihad Stadium with a capacity of 10,000 spectators.

Al-Ittihad are also known for their basketball team. In general, 20 types of sports are being practiced by the club.

History

The club was founded on 20 January 1949 under the name Halab Al-Ahli Club, by the merge of three smaller football teams in Aleppo: Al-Janah (The Wing), Osud Al-Shahba (Lions of Shahba) and Al-Nejmeh (The Star), before getting recognized officially by the ministry of internal affairs on 24 September 1953. In 1972, the name of the club was changed to Al-Ittihad Aleppo by the decision of the Syrian government.[1]

Prior to the foundation of the Syrian official football league, the club have competed in various regional competitions in the Aleppo Governorate such as the regional league of Aleppo and the Aleppo Municipality Shield (Arabic: درع بلدية حلب‎).

The club have participated in the first ever Syrian football league in 1966–67 when they became champions. Since then, they have never relegated to the bottom level.

Stadiums
Al-Ittihad fans crowded in the Aleppo International Stadium

Al-Ittihad's original home ground since the early 1950s was the Aleppo Municipal Stadium which is considered one of the most historic stadiums in Syria. At the beginning of the 1990s the club moved to the newly built Al-Hamadaniah Stadium. After the inauguration of the Aleppo International Stadium in 2008, the club decided to play their home games at the Syrian league and AFC competitions in the modern stadium which can host around 75,000 spectators. Al-Hamadaniah Stadium is still used as an alternative venue.

Stadium Name Capacity Years
7 April Stadium 12,000 1949–90
Al-Hamadaniah Stadium Original: 25,000 (15,000 after the 2008 renovation) 1990–08
Aleppo International Stadium 75,000 2008–

Training facilities
Al-Ittihad Stadium

The training grounds of al-Ittihad are located in the al-Shahbaa district of Aleppo. The complex is home to the al-Ittihad Stadium with a capacity of 10,000 spectators, a nearby indoor training pitch and many other small pitches. There are also two basketball courts, an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, conference rooms and offices.

Colours and kits

Since its foundation, the traditional colour of Al-Ittihad's home kit is red with various designs over the years. Therefore, the club is nicknamed The Red Castle by the fans as a reference to the city's main landmark; the Citadel of Aleppo. The away kit may vary between a full white kit and a white kit with red stripes on the shirt.

Football achievements
  • Syrian League: 6

Winners: 1967, 1968, 1977, 1993, 1995, 2005

Winners: 1965, 1973, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1994, 2005, 2006, 2011

Winners: 2010

Performance in AFC competitions
  • Asian Club Championship: 1 appearance
1985: 4th place
2002–03: Qualifying West – 3rd Round
2006: Group Stage
2007: Group Stage
2008: Group Stage
2011: Qualifying Play-off – West Semi-final
2010: Champions
2011: Group Stage
2012: Group Stage

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
GK Zakaria Dehneh
GK Khaled Ibrahim
GK Mohamad Mardini
DF Zakaria Boudaqa
DF Ahmad Bastanli
DF Omar Hemidi
DF Zakaria Hasan Beik
DF Omar Samman
DF Ahmad Al Ali
DF Firas Misho
MF Hussain Haj Ali
MF Hazem Jabara
MF Ayman Salal
No. Position Player
MF Fares Hindawi
MF Mohamad Mido
MF Mohamad Ghabbash
MF Abdulhadi Sawas
MF Zakaria Al Omari
MF Mohamed Al Youssef
MF Radwan Kalaji
MF Ibrahim Sawas
MF Mohamad Al Ahmad
FW Saleh Al Raei
FW Hussam Omar
FW Abdullah Najjar

Administration

Administrative Board of Al-Ittihad Aleppo Club:

Office Name
President of the Board Ahmad Kayyal
Investment and Facilities Director Mulham Tabbara
Member of the Board Jum'a ar-Rashed
Administrative and Legislative Committee Director Ayman Hazzam
Financial Director Ziyad al-Sheikh Omar
Member of the Board Weizar Sarmini
Training Centres Director Reem Sabbagh

Last updated: June 2012
Source: ittihadaleppo.com

Former notable players

For all former Al-Ittihad players with a Wikipedia article see Category:Al-Ittihad Aleppo players.

Former Managers

References
  1. "The History of Al-Ittihad". Al-Ittihad official website (in Arabic). Retrieved 25 January 2012.
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