1. Overview
Mahmoud Kamal Al-Mawas (مَحْمُود كَمَال الْمَوَّاسArabic; born January 1, 1993) is a Syrian professional footballer who primarily plays as a winger or an attacking midfielder. He is currently active with Al-Shorta in the Iraqi Premier League and is a key member of the Syria national team, having made his international debut in 2012 at the age of 19. Al-Mawas has achieved notable success throughout his career, becoming the first non-Iraqi player to be the Iraqi Premier League top scorer with 22 goals in the 2021-22 season. He was also named the 2023-24 'Player of the Season' while playing for Al-Shorta.
2. Early life and youth career
Mahmoud Kamal Al-Mawas was born on January 1, 1993, in Hama, Syria. He stands 69 in (174 cm) tall. He began his football journey at a young age, starting to play in 1997 with Omar Hama until 2006. From 2006 to 2009, he continued his development within the youth systems of Al-Karamah SC, which included an 18-month loan spell at Al-Ain FC from 2008 to 2009. His formative years in these youth teams laid the foundation for his professional career.
3. Club career
Mahmoud Al-Mawas's professional club career began in Syria and saw him play for several clubs across the Middle East before venturing into European football, and later returning to the region for significant success.
3.1. Al-Karamah
Al-Mawas started his senior professional career with Al-Karamah SC. After developing in their youth system and a loan to Al-Ain, he was promoted to Al-Karamah's senior squad in June 2009. In his first season with the senior team, he achieved his first major trophy, winning the 2009-10 Syrian Cup.
3.1.1. Al-Riffa (loan)
In January 2013, Al-Mawas embarked on his first loan spell, joining Al-Riffa in the Bahraini Premier League for six months. During this period, he made 10 appearances and scored 5 goals, demonstrating his offensive capabilities.
3.2. Al-Arabi
Following his loan spell, Al-Mawas made a permanent move to Al-Arabi in the Kuwait Premier League in July 2013. He spent four seasons with the club, playing a crucial role in their success. In his first season, he helped Al-Arabi win the 2013-14 Kuwait Federation Cup. The following season, he secured another trophy, the 2014-15 Kuwait Crown Prince Cup, and also contributed to the team finishing as runner-up in the Kuwait Premier League in 2014-15. During his tenure at Al-Arabi, he made 62 appearances and scored 17 goals.
3.2.1. Al-Faisaly (loan)
On June 30, 2015, Al-Mawas was loaned to Al-Faisaly, a club in the Saudi Pro League. He quickly made an impact, scoring his first goal for the club on August 28 in a 2-1 loss against Al-Taawoun. However, his loan deal was cut short on September 15, and he returned to Al-Arabi. He made 2 appearances and scored 1 goal for Al-Faisaly.
3.2.2. Second stint at Al-Riffa (loan)
In October 2015, Al-Mawas rejoined Al-Riffa for a second loan period, this time for a full season.
3.3. Al-Muharraq
In July 2016, Al-Mawas moved to another Bahraini club, joining Al-Muharraq. He played with the club until the end of the 2016-17 season.
3.4. Umm Salal
In January 2017, during the mid-season transfer window, Al-Mawas transferred to Qatari club Umm Salal SC ahead of the 2016-17 Qatar Stars League season. He scored his first goal for Umm Salal on February 15 in a 3-1 victory against Lekhwiya. He demonstrated consistent scoring prowess, netting braces on August 17, 2018, in a 4-1 win over Al-Ahli, and again in a 2-5 loss to Al-Shahania in the same season. On August 23, 2019, he scored another brace in a 2-2 draw against Al-Rayyan. He remained a key midfielder for Umm Salal until 2020, making 75 appearances and scoring 18 goals.
3.5. Botoșani
On November 24, 2020, Al-Mawas ventured into European football for the first time in his career, joining Romanian club Botoșani in Liga I. He made his debut for Botoșani on December 11, 2020, in a 1-1 draw against Astra Giurgiu. He scored his first goal for the club in a league match against Academica Clinceni on January 27, 2021, though the team lost 2-1. Just four days later, on January 31, he scored the solitary goal in a match against Hermannstadt to secure a 3-point victory for his team. During his time at Botoșani, he made 25 appearances and scored 5 goals.
3.6. Al-Shorta
On August 21, 2021, Al-Mawas transferred to Iraqi club Al-Shorta, where he enjoyed a period of significant success and personal accolades. In his first season, the 2021-22 Iraqi Premier League, he became the league's top scorer with 22 goals in 35 appearances, leading Al-Shorta to the league championship. He also contributed to the team reaching the semi-finals of the Iraq FA Cup in 2020-21.
His success continued in the 2022-23 Iraqi Premier League season, where he remained a pivotal player, helping Al-Shorta secure their second consecutive league title. The club also reached the semi-finals of the Arab Club Championship in 2023.
In the 2023-24 Iraq Stars League season, Al-Mawas played a crucial role in Al-Shorta's achievement of a third consecutive league championship. His outstanding performances earned him the 'Player of the Season' award for the 2023-24 Iraq Stars League. Furthermore, he was instrumental in Al-Shorta winning the 2023-24 Iraq FA Cup and the 2022 Iraqi Super Cup, solidifying his status as a key figure in Iraqi football.
4. International career
Mahmoud Al-Mawas has been a prominent figure in the Syrian national football setup, representing his country at various youth levels before becoming a senior international.
4.1. Youth national teams
Al-Mawas represented Syria in several youth international tournaments. He participated in the 2008 AFC U-16 Championship in Uzbekistan with the Syria U-17 team, where they reached the quarterfinals. He also played for the Syria U-20 team, making 5 appearances and scoring 6 goals. Furthermore, he was part of the Syria U-23 national team that competed in the Asian Qualifiers for the 2012 Summer Olympics, contributing to the team's advance to the play-off stage.
4.2. Senior national team
Al-Mawas made his debut for the Syria senior national team on November 17, 2012, in a friendly match against the Palestine national team. His first international goal came on September 8, 2015, during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification fixture against the Cambodia national team at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, helping Syria to a 6-0 victory.
He continued to be a crucial player in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, scoring three goals, including a brace against the Afghanistan national team in a 5-2 win, which paved the way for Syria's historic qualification for the final round of Asian qualifiers. His contributions helped Syria reach the play-off stage for the first time in their history.
Al-Mawas also notably participated in the SAFF Championship, winning the title in 2013 and finishing as runner-up in 2015.
In the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, he was instrumental in Syria's campaign, scoring six goals. This included his first international hat-trick against the Maldives national team on June 4, 2021, in a 4-0 win. His prolific scoring ensured Syria's qualification for the final round of Asian qualifiers for the second consecutive time. As of November 19, 2024, Al-Mawas has made 99 appearances and scored 16 goals for the national team.
5. Honours
Mahmoud Al-Mawas has accumulated a significant number of team and individual accolades throughout his professional football career.
5.1. Club
- Al-Karamah
- Syrian Cup: 2010
- Al-Arabi
- Kuwait Federation Cup: 2013-14
- Kuwait Crown Prince Cup: 2014-15
- Kuwait Premier League: Runner-up (2014-15)
- Al-Shorta
- Iraq Stars League: 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24
- Iraq FA Cup: 2023-24; Semi-finals (2020-21)
- Iraqi Super Cup: 2022
- Arab Club Championship: Semi-finals (2023)
5.2. Individual
- Iraqi Premier League top scorer: 2021-22 (22 goals)
- Iraq Stars League Player of the Season: 2023-24
6. Career statistics
6.1. International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syria | 2012 | 5 | 0 |
| 2013 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 12 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 12 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 5 | 1 | |
| Total | 99 | 16 | |
6.1.1. International goals
As of match played September 6, 2024. Syria score listed first, score column indicates score after each Al Mawas goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 8, 2015 | Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Cambodia | 4-0 | 6-0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2 | October 13, 2015 | Al-Seeb Stadium, Muscat, Oman | Afghanistan | 3-0 | 5-2 | |
| 3 | 5-2 | |||||
| 4 | June 3, 2016 | Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Thailand | 1-2 | 2-2 (pen.) | 2016 King's Cup |
| 5 | June 5, 2016 | United Arab Emirates | 1-0 | 1-0 | ||
| 6 | October 6, 2016 | Shaanxi Province Stadium, Xi'an, China | China | 1-0 | 1-0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 7 | June 13, 2017 | Hang Jebat Stadium, Malacca, Malaysia | 1-0 | 2-2 | ||
| 8 | August 31, 2017 | Qatar | 3-1 | 3-1 | ||
| 9 | September 5, 2019 | Panaad Stadium, Bacolod, Philippines | Philippines | 5-2 | 5-2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 10 | October 15, 2019 | Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Guam | 4-0 | 4-0 | |
| 11 | November 12, 2020 | Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates | Uzbekistan | 1-0 | 1-0 | Friendly |
| 12 | June 4, 2021 | Maldives | 1-0 | 4-0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 13 | 3-0 | |||||
| 14 | 4-0 | |||||
| 15 | June 7, 2021 | Guam | 3-0 | 3-0 | ||
| 16 | September 6, 2024 | G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad, India | Mauritius | 2-0 | 2-0 | 2024 Intercontinental Cup |
7. External links
- [http://www.goalzz.com/main.aspx?player=44301 Mahmoud Al-Mawas at Goalzz.com]
- [http://www.kooora.com/default.aspx?player=44301 Mahmoud Al-Mawas at Kooora.com]
- [https://www.transfermarkt.com/mahmoud-al-mawas/profil/spieler/380348 Mahmoud Al-Mawas at Transfermarkt]
- [https://int.soccerway.com/players/mahmoud-al-mawas/119054/ Mahmoud Al-Mawas at Soccerway]
- [https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/49463/Mahmoud_Al_Mawas.html Mahmoud Al-Mawas at National-Football-Teams.com]