Firas Al-Khatib vs Mosab Balhous
Syria against Syria. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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.
Mosab Balhous
Syria · 2006–16 · GK
- Almanac rating
- 78
- Rank in Syria
- #10 of 33
- Clubs
- Al-Karamah SC, Al-Wahda SC Damascus, Al-Shorta SC
In November 2006 he was Al-Karamah's goalkeeper in the AFC Champions League final, which the club from Homs lost 3-2 on aggregate to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. He reached a second continental final with them in the 2009 AFC Cup, won four Syrian league titles and four Syrian Cups, took the 2012 WAFF Championship with Syria, and finished with 86 caps between 2006 and 2016, at the time a Syrian record. Career record: club career at Al-Karamah SC, Al-Wahda SC Damascus, Al-Shorta SC.
The verdict
The almanac puts Firas Al-Khatib ahead by 7 rating points, 85 against 78.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.