LONDON: Hussein Abdulghani’s hopes of resurrecting his international career at the ripe old age of 41 have been dashed after his club side refused to release him for the historic friendly match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Abdulghani was in line to make his first appearance for the Green Falcons since 2014 after Juan Antonio Pizzi recalled the defender to the squad and then picked him in the starting XI for the game at Basra International Stadium.
But the Green Falcons appear to have jumped the gun as they first needed the permission of his club side, Bulgarian club FC Vereya, because the game falls outside the FIFA International Match Calendar.
The Bulgarian club sent an email to the management of the Saudi Arabia team saying they would not be releasing the player. They have a league game against Slavia Sofia on Sunday. Abdulghani only moved to Bulgaria in September from Al-Nassr and would have been free to play had he stayed in the Kingdom because the clubs in the Saudi Pro League have released their players for the unscheduled friendly.
“The players of the national team who were called up to participate in the friendly match on Wednesday against Iraq, have joined up with team,” read a statement from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. “At the national team’s training camp in Jeddah all the players called up were present, except for the defender Hussein Abdulghani because of his commitments with the Bulgarian club FC Vereya.”
The decision comes as a blow to Abdulghani as he was set to win his 135th cap and cement his position in fifth place in the Kingdom’s all-time international appearance makers.
Abdulghani is the second starting XI player coach Pizzi squad will be without for Saudi Arabia’s first match on Iraqi soil since 1979. Al-Shabab’s Hattan Bahebri, who had been named in midfield, has pulled out after tearing ligaments playing in a training match against Al-Ittihad on Saturday. He is expected to be out for more than a month. Al-Hilal’s Abdulmalek Al-Khaibri, 31, has been called up as a replacement.
Saudi Arabia's Hussein Abdulghani denied chance to become one of oldest international players at 41
Saudi Arabia's Hussein Abdulghani denied chance to become one of oldest international players at 41
Rabiot double lifts Milan after early scare at Como
- Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points
COMO, Italy: AC Milan came from behind to earn a 3-1 victory at Como on Thursday, with Adrien Rabiot scoring twice to keep the away side in the Serie A title race.
Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points.
Como made the brighter start and took the lead after 10 minutes when Marc-Oliver Kempf rose to head home a corner.
Despite the hosts controlling much of the first half, Milan struck in stoppage time as Christopher Nkunku calmly converted from the penalty spot after Kempf was penalized for pushing Rabiot.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced a series of strong saves to keep Como at bay after the break before Milan took the lead in the 55th minute when Rabiot knocked the ball in from close range.
Como were denied an equalizer as Nico Paz saw his effort from outside the box crash against the crossbar. Milan then sealed the win two minutes from time when Rabiot caught the Como defense off guard with a low strike from distance that crept into the bottom corner.
“This was a team victory, we showed our mentality,” Rabiot told DAZN after being named Man of the Match.
“We suffered a lot in the first half, but we talked during the break, came out with a different mentality, we all came out fighting for the three points.
“We gave something extra and I am very happy to score two goals, obviously, but above all I’m pleased with the mentality of the team.”
While Rabiot provided the goals, another Frenchman, goalkeeper Maignan, made his mark with a string of crucial saves.
“We knew that playing here would be difficult, we were well-prepared. We started a little sluggish and they scored, but we managed to keep the game open, and then all together started to play as a team,” Maignan said.
“We know these are great nights for Milan with an atmosphere like this. We suffered, we used up a lot of energy and left it all on the field.”
