Mahmoud El Ali
Mahmoud El Ali (Arabic: محمود العلي; born on 4 March 1984) is a Lebanese former professional footballer who played as a striker. El Ali represented the Lebanon national team, scoring 12 goals in 46 games, before being banned for life from professional football due to his involvement in the 2013 Lebanese match fixing scandal.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mahmoud El Ali | ||
| Date of birth | 4 March 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Beirut, Lebanon | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Playing position(s) | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2005 | Al Rayyan | (5) | |
| 2005–2013 | Ahed | (52) | |
| 2013 | Persiba Balikpapan | 16 | (3) |
| Total | ? | (60) | |
| National team | |||
| 2007–2012 | Lebanon | 46 | (12) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
Club career
El Ali began his senior career at Lebanese Premier League club Rayyan Beirut, during the 2004–05 season.[1] The forward scored five goals.[1] In 2005 El Ali moved to Ahed, scoring four goals and helping his side finish in fifth place during the 2005–06 season.[1] The following season (2006–07), El Ali improved on his previous season's numbers, scoring 12 goals.[1] However, Ahed finished in fifth place once again.[1] In 2007–08, El Ali helped his side win their first league title, scoring three goals.[1]
The following three seasons, El Ali lifted two more league titles (2009–10 and 2010–11),[1] two Lebanese FA Cups (2008–09 and 2010–11),[1][2] three Lebanese Elite Cups (2008, 2010, and 2011),[2] and three Lebanese Super Cups (2008, 2010, 2011).[2] The forward was also part of the Lebanese Premier League Team of the Season for two consecutive seasons, in 2010–11 and 2011–12.[3]
In January 2013, El Ali moved to Indonesian Liga 1 side Persiba Balikpapan.[4][5] He scored three goals in 16 league games.[6] On 26 February 2013, El Ali was accused of illegal betting on several national and continental games concerning Lebanese teams and the national team.[7] He was banned for life from football and was fined $15,000.[7] Following El Ali's involvement in the 2013 Lebanese match-fixing scandal, on 26 April 2013, Persiba Balikpapan terminated El Ali's contract with the club.[8]
International career
El Ali made his international debut for Lebanon 16 June 2007, at the 2007 WAFF Championship, against Syria; Lebanon lost 1–0.[9] The Lebanese forward's first international goal came on 23 September 2007, in a friendly against the United Arab Emirates (UAE); the match finished in a 1–1 draw.[9] On 17 July 2011, El Ali scored his first, and only, international brace; he scored twice against the UAE in a friendly.[9]
In 2013, El Ali was accused of match fixing a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification game against Qatar, on 14 November 2012, purposely throwing the match in the opponents favour.[8] Lebanon lost 1–0. Following the investigations, on 24 April 2013 El Ali was banned for life from the sport.[7] El Ali scored 12 goals in 46 appearances for the national team, and retired as Lebanon's fifth all time top-goalscorer to date.[10]
Career statistics
International
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 September 2007 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |  | 1–1 | Draw | Friendly |
| 2 | 8 October 2007 | Saida, Lebanon |  | 4–1 | Win | 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
| 3 | 2 January 2008 | Kuwait City, Kuwait |  | 2–3 | Loss | Friendly |
| 4 | 9 April 2008 | Beirut, Lebanon |  | 4–0 | Win | 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 5 | 7 June 2008 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |  | 1–4 | Loss | 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
| 6 | 21 January 2009 | Phuket, Thailand |  | 2–1 | Loss | 2009 King's Cup |
| 7 | 6 January 2010 | Sidon, Lebanon |  | 1–1 | Draw | 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 8 | 17 July 2011 | Al Ain, United Arab Emirates | | 2–6 | Loss | Friendly |
| 9 | ||||||
| 10 | 23 July 2011 | Beirut, Lebanon |  | 4–0 | Win | 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
| 11 | 11 November 2011 | Kuwait City, Kuwait | | 1–0 | Win | 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
| 12 | 29 February 2012 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | | 2–4 | Loss | 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
Honours
Club
- Ahed
- Lebanese Premier League: 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11
- Lebanese FA Cup: 2008–09, 2010–11
- Lebanese Elite Cup: 2008, 2010, 2011
- Lebanese Super Cup: 2008, 2010, 2011
References
- Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Mahmoud El-Ali". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Lebanon - List of Cup Winners". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "معتوق أفضل لاعب لبناني وحيدر يطالب بإصلاحات". الأخبار (in Arabic). Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Pelatih Persiba : Striker Lebanon , Mahmoud El Ali Cerdik dan bertenaga". 12paz.blogspot.com. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Persiba Bakal Andalkan Duet Striker Timnas Lebanon". www.bola.net. 19 January 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Mahmoud El Ali". ligaindonesia.co.id. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
- "Lebanon National Football team players Mahmoud al-Ali, Ramez Dyoub banned for life, fined USD 15,000 for manipulating results". LBCI Lebanon. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- Media, Kompas Cyber. "Persiba Balikpapan Segera Pecat Mahmoud El Ali". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Mahmoud El-Ali - International Appearances". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Lebanon - Record International Players". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
External links
- Mahmoud El Ali at RSSSF
- Mahmoud El Ali at National-Football-Teams.com
- Mahmoud El Ali at FA Lebanon