Yasser Al-Qahtani

Yasser Saeed Al-Qahtani (Arabic: ياسر سعيد القحطاني‎; born 10 October 1982) is a former footballer from Saudi Arabia who played as a striker for Al-Hilal FC in the Saudi Professional League. He was also captain of the Saudi Arabian national team. He's widely recognized as one of the greatest Saudi Arabian footballer in the 2000s. On February 8th, 2021, Yasser decided to come back to the world of football to join the legendary Jordanian club, Albaqa'a Club under the reign of new owners, Khaled Mustafa DzzzD, Abdulla Mustafa,and Husni Jallad.

Yasser Al-Qahtani
Personal information
Full name Yasser Saeed Al-Qahtani
Date of birth (1982-10-10) 10 October 1982
Place of birth Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2005 Al-Qadisiya 39 (24)
2005–2018 Al-Hilal 160 (88)
2011–2012 → Al Ain (loan) 15 (7)
Total 214 (119)
National team‡
2002–2013 Saudi Arabia 108[1] (42)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:09, 12 April 2018 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 November 2015

Club career

In 2005, Al-Qahtani moved to Al-Hilal from Al-Qadisiyah for a reported $5.31 transfer fee.[2]

After leading Saudi Arabia to the finals of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup as one of the tournament's top scorers, he won the Asian Footballer of the Year award.[3][4][5] He went on trial at Manchester City in December.[2]

In 2011, struggling for form following injuries and having lost his place in the Al-Hilal starting lineup, Al-Qahtani joined United Arab Emirates club Al Ain on a season-long loan.[6] There he contributed to the club's first league title since 2004 scoring 7 goals in 15 league appearances, and 12 goals in a total of 26 games across all competitions.[7] Having regained his form he returned to Al-Hilal after the loan spell ended.[8][9]

Coached by Sami Al-Jaber and Laurențiu Reghecampf, Al-Qahtani reached the finals of the 2014 AFC Champions League with Al-Hilal where his team finished runners up losing to Western Sydney Wanderers in the final 1–0 on aggregate.[10]

International career

2006 World Cup

Al-Qahtani played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany where he scored a goal against Tunisia.[11]

2007 Asian Cup

At the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, Saudi Arabia reached the final under new Brazilian coach dos Anjos with Al-Qahtani becoming the tournament's top scorer.[4][12][13]

2010 World Cup qualification campaign

In the final stages of the 2010 World Cup qualification, Al-Qahtani was injured in the game against Uzbekistan and upon his return from injury remained out form due to lack of playing time at Al-Hilal. Saudi Arabia missed qualification to the World Cup failing to beat North Korea at home in Riyadh in the decisive last game with the match ending goalless.[14]

Career statistics

Club
As of 12 April 2018
Club Season League Cup ACL Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Al-Qadisiyah 2000–01 9 5 – 9 5
2002–03 10510—115
2003–04 10920—129
2004–05 10554—159
Al-Hilal 2005–06 1176131209
2006–07 151040302210
2007–08 131086202316
2008–09 121071522413
2009–10 20996643519
2010–11 161132952818
Al-Ain (loan) 2011-12 15785—2312
Al-Hilal 2012–13 201331622916
2013–14 16553722810
2014–15 93—50143
2015–16 12643512110
2016–17 1245220196
2017–18 402151102
Al-Hilal Total 1608855265417274132
Career Total 21411971355417354172

International goals
Scores and results list Saudi Arabia's goal tally first.[15]

Honours

[1]

Club
Al-Hilal
Al Ain

International

Individual

References
  1. Al-Qahtani, Yasser at National-Football-Teams.com
  2. "Man City take Al Qahtani on trial". BBC Sport. 19 December 2007. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  3. "Soccer-Yasser Al Qahtani named Asian Player of the Year". Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  4. "Asian footballer of the year announced - Sport - BrisbaneTimes". www.brisbanetimes.com.au. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  5. "Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qahtani Is Asian Player of the Year". www.arabnews.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  6. "Al Qahtani ready to lead Al Ain | The National". Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  7. Khaled, Ali (15 September 2014). "Former Al Ain teammates consider Al Qahtani a brother, but 'Inside the pitch, we don't know Yasser'". The National. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  8. Jose, James. "'Decision on Qahtani, Gyan at end of season' - Khaleej Times". www.khaleejtimes.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  9. "Al Qahtani to return to Al Hilal - report - Goal.com". Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  10. FIFA.com. "Wanderers, Al Hilal reach maiden final". Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  11. "Tunisia, Saudi Arabia put on a show at World Cup". CBC Sports. 14 June 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  12. "Saudi strikers earn praise | The World Game". Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  13. "Saudi beat Japan to reach Asian Cup final". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  14. "World Cup Blow For Saudi Arabia As Naif Hazazi Tears Cruciate Ligament - Goal.com". Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  15. "Yasser Al-Qahtani – Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  16. "Fans' Best XI Announced!". The-AFC.com. AFC. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
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