1. Overview
Ali Assadalla Qambar (علي أسد الله ثايمن قمبرArabic), also commonly known as Ali Asad, is a professional footballer who primarily plays as a midfielder. He is a key player for Al Sadd SC in the Qatar Stars League and represents the Qatar national football team. Born in Bahrain, he was later naturalized as a Qatari citizen, choosing to represent Qatar internationally. He typically wears jersey number 8 and is right-footed.
2. Early Life and Background
Ali Assadalla's early life and background are rooted in the Middle East, providing a unique foundation for his football career.
2.1. Birthplace and Nationality
Ali Assadalla was born on 19 January 1993 in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain. Despite his Bahraini birth, he was raised in Qatar and subsequently became a naturalized Qatari citizen. This naturalization allowed him to represent Qatar in international football competitions, a path he has pursued throughout his professional career.
3. Club Career
Ali Assadalla has spent his entire professional club career with Al Sadd SC, one of Qatar's most successful football clubs, contributing significantly to their numerous domestic and continental achievements.
3.1. Al Sadd SC
Assadalla joined Al Sadd SC in 2010 and has since become a long-serving member of the team. As a midfielder, he has been instrumental in the club's success across various competitions. He has participated in the Qatar Stars League, various domestic cups, and continental tournaments, including the AFC Champions League. Notably, he scored a goal in the 2015 AFC Champions League campaign. As of the latest available statistics, he has made 69 appearances and scored 8 goals for Al Sadd SC in club competitions. His tenure with Al Sadd has seen the club achieve significant success, securing numerous titles.
4. International Career
Ali Assadalla has represented Qatar at multiple levels of international football, from youth teams to the senior national squad, achieving notable success and contributing to the nation's growing football profile.
4.1. Qatar U-20 and B Team
Assadalla began his international career with Qatar's youth teams, including the U-20 squad, for which he made 9 appearances between 2010 and 2013. He was later called up to the Qatar B national football team on 13 November 2013. He made his official debut for the Qatar B team on 25 December 2013, in a 1-0 victory against Palestine during the 2014 WAFF Championship. Throughout this tournament, he played in all of Qatar's matches and scored a crucial goal against Kuwait in extra time during the semi-final. He formed a productive partnership with teammate Boualem Khoukhi, who was the tournament's top scorer. His contributions were vital as Qatar B defeated Jordan in the final, securing the team's first-ever WAFF title. Following this impressive performance, Assadalla was recognized as the 'Best Player of the Tournament'.
4.2. Qatar Senior National Team
Ali Assadalla made his debut for the senior Qatar national team in 2012. He has since become a regular fixture, participating in several major international tournaments and qualification campaigns. He played in the 22nd Arabian Gulf Cup in 2014, where Qatar emerged victorious. He also featured in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup and has been part of Qatar's squads for FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His international career includes a total of 72 appearances and 12 goals for the senior national team as of 2023.
5. Honours
Ali Assadalla has accumulated a significant number of team and individual honours throughout his career, reflecting his impact at both club and international levels.
5.1. Club Honours
With Al Sadd SC, Ali Assadalla has won numerous domestic and continental titles:
- Qatar Stars League: 2012-13, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22 (4 titles)
- Qatar Cup: 2017, 2020, 2021 (3 titles)
- Emir of Qatar Cup: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021 (5 titles)
- Qatari Stars Cup: 2010, 2019-20 (2 titles)
- Sheikh Jassim Cup: 2014, 2017, 2019 (3 titles)
- AFC Champions League: 2011 (1 title)
- FIFA Club World Cup Third-place: 2011
5.2. International Honours
Representing Qatar, Ali Assadalla has achieved the following team honours:
- WAFF Championship: 2014 (with Qatar B)
- Arabian Gulf Cup: 2014 (with Qatar senior team)
- AFC Asian Cup: 2023 (with Qatar senior team)
5.3. Individual Awards
- WAFF Championship MVP: 2014
6. Career Statistics
Ali Assadalla's career statistics reflect his consistent presence and contributions for both his club, Al Sadd SC, and the Qatar national team.
For Al Sadd SC, he has recorded 69 appearances and 8 goals.
His international goal-scoring record for the Qatar national team is detailed below. Scores and results list Qatar's goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 4 January 2014 | Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar |  Kuwait | 3-0 | 3-0 | 2014 WAFF Championship |
| 2. | 23 November 2014 | King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |  Oman | 2-1 | 3-1 | 22nd Arabian Gulf Cup |
| 3. | 3-1 | |||||
| 4. | 26 March 2015 | Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar |  Algeria | 1-0 | 1-0 | Friendly |
| 5. | 3 September 2015 | Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar |  Bhutan | 3-0 | 15-0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 6. | 8-0 | |||||
| 7. | 12-0 | |||||
| 8. | 13 November 2015 | Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar |  Turkey | 1-0 | 1-2 | Friendly |
| 9. | 8 August 2016 | Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar |  Iraq | 2-0 | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 10. | 9 March 2017 | Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar |  Azerbaijan | 1-1 | 1-2 | Friendly |
| 11. | 16 August 2017 | St George's Park National Football Centre, Burton, England |  Andorra | 1-0 | 1-0 | Friendly |
| 12. | 31 August 2017 | Hang Jebat Stadium, Malacca, Malaysia |  Syria | 1-1 | 1-3 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
His international A-match appearances and goals by year are as follows:
| Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 3 | 0 |
| 2014 | 12 | 3 |
| 2015 | 13 | 5 |
| 2016 | 10 | 1 |
| 2017 | 11 | 3 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 |
| 2022 | 7 | 0 |
| 2023 | 10 | 0 |
| Total | 72 | 12 |
7. Assessment
Ali Assadalla stands as a significant figure in Qatari football, known for his consistent performances as a midfielder and his substantial contributions to both Al Sadd SC and the Qatar national football team. His career is marked by a remarkable collection of team honours, including multiple Qatar Stars League titles and various domestic cups with Al Sadd, as well as continental success in the AFC Champions League. On the international stage, he played a pivotal role in Qatar B's maiden WAFF Championship victory, where he was recognized as the tournament's Most Valuable Player. His involvement in the senior national team's triumphs in the Arabian Gulf Cup and the AFC Asian Cup further solidifies his legacy. Assadalla's ability to perform at a high level across different competitions and his knack for scoring crucial goals have made him a valuable asset, underscoring his overall importance to the development and success of football in Qatar.