Firas Al-Khatib vs Omar Al-Somah
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.
Omar Al-Somah
Syria · 2014–22 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Syria
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 26 · 15 goals
- Clubs
- Al-Fotuwa SC, Qadsia SC, Al Ahli
Syria were losing in Tehran deep into stoppage time on 5 September 2017 when Al Somah levelled it at 2-2 against Iran and sent his country into a World Cup play-off for the first time. He left Al-Ahli in 2022 as the Saudi Pro League's record scorer on 144 league goals, with the 2015-16 title, three consecutive Golden Boots, the King's Cup, and the 2014 AFC Cup and two Kuwaiti championships at Qadsia. Career record: 26 caps and 15 goals for Syria; club career at Al-Fotuwa SC, Qadsia SC, Al Ahli.
The verdict
The almanac puts Omar Al-Somah ahead by 1 rating point, 86 against 85.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.