Alaa Abdul-Zahra
Encyclopedia
Alaa Abdul-Zahrah Khashen Al-Azzawi (born December 22, 1985 in Baghdad
, Iraq
) is an Iraqi football player who currently plays for Al-Wakrah in Qatar
and the Iraq national football team
. His nickname is Kaka of Iraq or Iraqi Kaka. During his profissonal career in Qatar
and Sudan
he was known as Alaa Al-Zahra (Alaa the rose). Alaa Abdul-Zahra is one of the most promising youth players in Iraq.
The striking sensations relatively small frame belies lightening pace and a thunderous shot. Furthermore, with a nose for goals and supreme self-confidence in one-on-one situations, Abdul Zahra is sure to be a threat to any rival defense.
Affectionately nicknamed 'the Kaká
of Iraq', 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
. After spending two seasons there, he made a high-profile move to Iranian top-division side Mes Kerman
, scoring three times in 11 appearances. He would then move to Jordanian outfit Shabab Al-Ordon in 2007 before earning a contract with Al-Merrikh
, with whom he won the Sudanese Premier league in his first season in 2007/08.
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 South Africa, coming off bench to play in a goalless draw against Pakistan before featuring in the 2-0 loss to Qatar.
. He qualify with Al-Zawraa to the AFC Champions League
in 2005 and won with them the Iraq Super League
2006.
, Alaa Abdul-Zahra signed a one year Contract with the Iranian Premier League Club Mes Kerman
. He played 11 times for them and scored 3 goals.
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 win 23-0.
signed a Contract with Sudan giant club Al-Merrikh
. He won Sudan Premier League
2007–2008.
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
) is an Iraqi football player who currently plays for Al-Wakrah in Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
and the Iraq national football team
Iraq national football team
The Iraqi national football team represents Iraq in international football and is controlled by the Iraq Football Association. They won the 2007 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup tournament.-The Golden Generation:...
. His nickname is Kaka of Iraq or Iraqi Kaka. During his profissonal career in Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
and Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
he was known as Alaa Al-Zahra (Alaa the rose). Alaa Abdul-Zahra is one of the most promising youth players in Iraq.
Info
At 21, Alaa Abdul Zahra is already being heralded as one of Iraq's most promising stars.The striking sensations relatively small frame belies lightening pace and a thunderous shot. Furthermore, with a nose for goals and supreme self-confidence in one-on-one situations, Abdul Zahra is sure to be a threat to any rival defense.
Affectionately nicknamed 'the Kaká
Kaká
Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite , commonly known as Kaká , is a Brazilian football attacking midfielder who currently plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team. Kaká started his footballing career at the age of eight, when he began playing for a local club...
of Iraq', 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
Al-Zawraa
Al-Zawra'a Sport Club is an Iraqi football club based in Karkh, Baghdad. Al-Zawraa is considered to be one of the best Iraqi football clubs in history, as it has won 12 national titles...
. After spending two seasons there, he made a high-profile move to Iranian top-division side Mes Kerman
Mes Kerman
Mes Kerman Football Club is an Iranian football team based in Kerman, Iran.They were promoted to Iran's top league, the IPL, in the 2005-06 season. The team is named after and sponsored by Kerman's copper industries.Mes Kerman F.C...
, scoring three times in 11 appearances. He would then move to Jordanian outfit Shabab Al-Ordon in 2007 before earning a contract with Al-Merrikh
Al-Merrikh
Al-Merreikh Sporting Club is a Sudanese football club based in Omdurman, Sudan. Their home stadium is Al Merreikh Stadium. Which is also known as The Red Castle. Al-Merreikh is one of the most ancient and strongest football club in Africa. El-Merreikh have been crowned with the Sudanese Premier...
, with whom he won the Sudanese Premier league in his first season in 2007/08.
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 South Africa, coming off bench to play in a goalless draw against Pakistan before featuring in the 2-0 loss to Qatar.
International goals
Montada Kooora Iraqia
Alaa abdulzahra career began with a club called Montada Koora iraqia or MKI, he was 15 years old when he played his first match with MKI. This club which its coach is Haidar Shamia plays in the second league in Iraq.Al-Zawraa
In 2004 at the age of 17 Alaa Abdul-Zahra made a move to one of the best Iraqi football club in history, Al-ZawraaAl-Zawraa
Al-Zawra'a Sport Club is an Iraqi football club based in Karkh, Baghdad. Al-Zawraa is considered to be one of the best Iraqi football clubs in history, as it has won 12 national titles...
. He qualify with Al-Zawraa to the AFC Champions League
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
in 2005 and won with them the Iraq Super League
Iraq Super League
Iraqi Premier League is the highest league in the league system of Iraqi football and currently contains the top 20 Iraqi football clubs. It is translated into English as "The Premier League"...
2006.
Mes Kerman
After the AFC Youth Championship 2006AFC Youth Championship 2006
The Asian Football Confederations AFC Youth Championship 2006 was the 32rd instance of the AFC Youth Championship. It was held from October 29 to November 12, 2006 in India. It was the first time for India to host this tournament...
, Alaa Abdul-Zahra signed a one year Contract with the Iranian Premier League Club Mes Kerman
Mes Kerman
Mes Kerman Football Club is an Iranian football team based in Kerman, Iran.They were promoted to Iran's top league, the IPL, in the 2005-06 season. The team is named after and sponsored by Kerman's copper industries.Mes Kerman F.C...
. He played 11 times for them and scored 3 goals.
Duhok Problem
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.Shabab Al-Ordon Debut
On 29 Dec 2007 In his first appearance with Shabab Al-Ordon, Alaa Abdul-Zahra scored his first goal with his new team against Hussein IrbidAl Hussein Irbid
Al-Hussein is a football club based in Irbid which competes in the Jordan League.Al-Hussein participated in the 2005 AFC Cup, winning its group. The club has never won the Jordan League or Jordan FA Cup, but are three-time winners of the Jordan FA Shield and winners of the 2003 Jordan Super Cup...
in Jordan Cup
Jordan FA Cup
The Jordan FA Cup is Jordan's premier knockout tournament in men's football .-Previous winners:The list of finals:*1980 : Al-Faisaly 3-1 Al Buqa'a Al Quwaysimah*1981 : Al-Faisaly 1-0 Al Ramtha...
, 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
Jordan League
The Jordan League is the highest division in football in Jordan. The league was played in 1944 for the first time.-Jordan League of 2011-12:*Al-Arabi *Al-Baqa'a SC *Al-Faisaly *Al-Jalil *Al-Jazeera *Al-Ramtha...
, which they win 23-0.
Al-Merrikh
Alaa Abdul-Zahra and his Olympic team's mate Saad AttiyaSaad Attiya
Saad Attiya Hafidh is an Iraqi football defender playing for the Arbil FC football club in Iraq.-Information:...
signed a Contract with Sudan giant club Al-Merrikh
Al-Merrikh
Al-Merreikh Sporting Club is a Sudanese football club based in Omdurman, Sudan. Their home stadium is Al Merreikh Stadium. Which is also known as The Red Castle. Al-Merreikh is one of the most ancient and strongest football club in Africa. El-Merreikh have been crowned with the Sudanese Premier...
. He won Sudan Premier League
Sudan Premier League
Sudan Premier League is the top division of the Sudan Football Association, it was created in 1962.-Sudan Premier League Clubs - 2011:* Al-Ahli * Al-Ahli * Al-Hilal * Al-Hilal...
2007–2008.
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 8 goals.Al-Kharitiyath
After the great months he spend in Al-Khor Alaa moved to another Qatrian club this time Al-Kharitiyath which he is going good with the club so far 10 goals form 20 games on his first season.Al-Wakrah
In June 2011, Alaa signed a one-year deal with Qatar side Al-Wakrah.Individual
- Runner-up topscorer of the AFC Youth Championship 2006AFC Youth Championship 2006The Asian Football Confederations AFC Youth Championship 2006 was the 32rd instance of the AFC Youth Championship. It was held from October 29 to November 12, 2006 in India. It was the first time for India to host this tournament...
- Topscorer of the 2008 Summer Olympics Games qualification2008 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic TournamentThe Asian Football Confederation's Pre-Olympic Tournament was held from 7 February to 21 November 2007. Twenty-four teams entered the qualification for the three allocated spots for the 2008 Summer Olympics Football tournament in Beijing....