Hussein Sulaimani

Al-Ahli

Abdulghani began his career at Al-Ahli, joining the youth team in 1992. He originally started his career as a forward but was moved to full-back, a position he would mainly play at for the remainder of his career, by Amin Dabo, the youth team manager at the time. Abdulghani made his Al-Ahli debut on 26 September 1995 in a Federation Cup tie with Al-Qadsiah. The match ended in a 2–1 loss. On 25 November 1995, Abdulghani made his league in the derby match against Al-Ittihad that ended in a 2–1 win. He made 24 appearances in all competitions in his first season with the club as Al-Ahli finished runners-up in the league. In his second season, Abdulghani missed matches for Al-Ahli due to the national team's participation in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup. On 25 December 1997, Abdulghani scored his first league goal for the club against Al-Wehda. On 11 March 1998, Abdulghani started the Crown Prince Cup final against Al-Riyadh and provided the assist for Masaad's golden goal in the 97th minute, as Al-Ahli won their third Crown Prince Cup title. This was Al-Ahli's first silverware since 1985. On 15 November 1999, Abdulghani made his continental debut for Al-Ahli against Syrian side Al-Jaish in the 1999–2000 Asian Cup Winners' Cup. Abdulghani missed most of the 2001–02 season with Al-Ahli through injury after injuring his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty. He was substituted in the 84th minute in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification match against…

Abdulghani was a regular member of the Saudi Arabia national team. He was on the national team that won 1996 AFC Asian Cup at age 19. He was selected for the 1998, 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. Abdulghani announced his retirement from international football after failing to lead his national team to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. On 6 October 2018, he received a call-up for a friendly match against Brazil.

Club

Updated 26 January 2024.

International

As of 20 November 2018

International goals

Al-Ahli

Crown Prince Cup: 1998, 2002, 2006–07 Saudi Federation Cup: 2001, 2002, 2007 Arab Champions League: 2002–03 Gulf Club Champions Cup: 2002, 2008 International Friendship Football Tournament: 2001, 2002 Neuchâtel Xamax FCS

Swiss Cup - 3rd place Al-Nassr

Pro League: 2013–14, 2014–15 Crown Prince Cup: 2013–14 Baniyas International Championship: 2011, 2013 Alwehda International Championship: 2012 OHOD

Gulf of Aqaba Cup: 2018 Jordan International Championship: 2018 Saudi Arabia

Summer Olympic Games: 1996 Summer Olympics AFC Asian Cup: 1996 Arab Nations Cup: 1998, 2002 Gulf Cup: 2002 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup: Group Stage 1998 FIFA World Cup: Group Stage 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup: 4th Place 2002 FIFA World Cup: Group Stage 2006 FIFA World Cup: Group Stage individual

The best promising Gulf player in 1996. Best Arab player in 1997. He won the best player award 3 times from 8 matches in the final qualifiers for the World Cup in France, as a record for a player in the defense line. He was chosen to play in the Asian Stars team in Moscow in 1998. He was chosen to play in the World Stars team in 1997 and 2000 in Marseille. He won the SANYO award for the best Asian full back in 2000. Best defender in the Arab Clubs Cup in 2003 in Jeddah. The best Arab player in the World Cup twice, 1998 AD and 2006. He was chosen as the best Saudi football player in 2006. The US magazine Esquire chose him as the best international player for teams in the Middle East and North Africa…