Ahmad Al-Saleh vs Firas Al-Khatib
Syria against Syria. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Ahmad Al-Saleh
Syria · 2008–22 · RB
- Almanac rating
- 78
- Rank in Syria
- #9 of 33
- Clubs
- Al-wathbaa, Al-Arabi SC, Al-Shorta SC
The 74th minute of the WAFF final in Kuwait City on 20 December 2012 belonged to him, a single goal past Iraq that gave Syria the first title in their history. That WAFF Championship is the trophy on his record, and he added 56 caps between 2008 and 2022, a goal in the 2-2 draw with China during 2018 World Cup qualifying, and squads at the 2011 and 2019 Asian Cups. Career record: club career at Al-wathbaa, Al-Arabi SC, Al-Shorta SC.
Firas Al-Khatib
Syria · 2001–19 · SS
- Almanac rating
- 85
- Rank in Syria
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 51 · 26 goals
- Clubs
- Al-Karamah SC, Al-Arabi SC, Shanghai Shenhua
A week after his debut he scored in Syria's 9-0 win over Laos on 11 May 2001, and eighteen years later, on 5 September 2019 against the Philippines, he became the first Asian to play in six World Cup qualifying campaigns. He remains Syria's record scorer with 36 goals in 72 caps, and in Kuwait he won four league titles, six Emir Cups and four golden boots, the last with 23 goals in 2015-16. Career record: 51 caps and 26 goals for Syria; club career at Al-Karamah SC, Al-Arabi SC, Shanghai Shenhua.
The verdict
The almanac puts Firas Al-Khatib ahead by 7 rating points, 85 against 78.
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