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Abdul-Ghani Shahad

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Abdul-Ghani Shahad (born 7 March 1968) is an Iraqi professional football coach and former player who is currently manager of Naft Al-Wasat SC in the Iraqi Premier League. Abdul-Ghani started his playing career at Al-Najaf FC and remained a one-club man throughout his career. Upon his retirement in 1999, he went into coaching and managed his hometown club Al-Najaf for 7 years, achieving a second-place finish. He moved around and managed a number of Iraqi sides, before winning his first Iraqi Premier League title with Naft Al-Wasat. Abdul-Ghani went on to be appointed as manager of the Iraqi U23 national team, where he guided the team towards Olympic qualification and a third place finish in the AFC U-22 Championship.

Abdul-Ghani Shahad
Personal information
Full name Abdul-Ghani Shahad
Date of birth (1968-03-07) 7 March 1968 (age 56)
Place of birth Najaf, Iraq
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Naft Al-Wasat (Manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1987–1999 Al-Najaf
Managerial career
1999 Al-Najaf
2003–2008 Al-Najaf
2005–2006 Iraq U20 (assistant)
2008–2009 Al-Talaba
2009–2010 Karbala
2010–2013 Al-Najaf
2013–2015 Naft Al-Wasat
2015–2016 Iraq U23
2016 Iraq (interim)
2016–2017 Naft Al-Wasat
2017–2020 Iraq U23
2020 Al-Shorta
2021–2022 Naft Al-Wasat
2022 Iraq
2022–2023 Naft Al-Wasat
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Iraq (as manager)
AFC U-23 Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2016
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Abdul-Ghani started his career as a 19 year old with Al Najaf, and he remained loyal to his boyhood club for 12 years until his retirement in 1999. His first season in 1986/87 was in the second division, and were promoted to the second division one year later. From 1987 onwards, Al Najaf slowly established itself as an important team in the Iraqi league, moving gradually from mid table towards title-contention. Abdul-Ghani was a fixture of the team from '87 onwards alongside Ali Hashim, Hassan Jawad, Mohammed Abdul-Hussein, Haidar Najim, with the team managed by legendary Najih Humoud. The team peaked in the late '90s finishing 3rd in the 94–95 season, and second in the 95–96 season. Abdul-Ghani was an unused substitute as Al Najaf won its first ever silverware, the 7th Umm al-Ma'arik Championship. Towards 1999 Abdul-Ghani has become a bench player who saw very little playtime, so he retired and became the interim manager for 15 matches. Abdul-Ghani Shahad never represented Iraq at any level.[1]

Managerial career

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Al Najaf

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Abdul Ghani Shahad become the interim manager of Al Najaf in 1999, where he managed the team for 15 games, winning 7 games. Despite his impressive record, Abdul-Ghani was relegated to assistant manager, due to his inexperience.

Abdul Ghani Shahad's first full season in charge of Al Najaf was the 2002-03 season, which was cancelled after 29 rounds due to the American Invasion of Iraq with Al-Najaf being in second place before the outbreak of the war.[2] During the season Al Najaf only lost 3 matches and were serious title contenders.

The following season was abandoned midway through because of the security situation in the country.[3]

The 2004/05 season was the first full season which was completed since the start of the Iraq War, Abdul-Ghani Shahad led Al Najaf to be second on the Euphrates Group, with only one loss.[4] In the Elite stage, Al Najaf finished second in their group, behind Al-Zawraa, and failed to qualify to the championship playoffs.[5]

The 2005/06 season was the standout season for Abdul Ghani Shahad and Al Najaf. Abdul Ghani Shahad led the team to a second place finish in the Central Group A, which meant the qualified to the Elite stage for the second season running.[6] In the Elite stage, Al Najaf managed to finish first in their group and qualifying to the championship playoff,[7] they beat Erbil in the semifinal 5-2 on aggregate.[8] The final against Al-Zawraa was played in Sulaymaniyah on June 24, 2006, the match went to penalties scoreless. Uday Omran and Chasib Sultan missed their penalties as Al-Najaf lost, 4–3, on penalties.[9] Despite the loss, it was still Al Najaf's joint-best league position. Finishing second also meant that Al Najaf qualified to the AFC Champions League for the first time ever.[10]

The following season, Al Najaf finished 3rd in their group and were eliminated from the AFC Champions League.[11] Meanwhile in the league, Al Najaf once again reached the playoff contention, however they lost to Erbil SC in the semi-final, while they beat Al-Talaba SC in the third place playoff, and qualified to the Arab Champions League.[12]

In the 2007/08 season, Al Najaf once again made the playoffs[13] but failed to reach the semi-final.[14] They were also eliminated from the Arab Champions League in the second round.[15]

Following the end of the season, Abdul-Ghani got an offer from giants Al-Talaba SC which he took.[16]

Al Talaba

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Under Abdul Ghani, Al Talaba failed to qualify to the playoffs in the 2008/09 season after finishing 3rd in group B, 3 points behind second place Al Amana.[17] The performance was deemed unsatisfactory and he was subsequently relieved of his duties as manager of Al Talaba.[18]

Karbala

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Following his sacking, Abdul Ghani signed for Karbala on the 15th of June 2009.[19] He led the time to finish 4th in group B, an impressive jump from 11th position in the season prior.[20] Karbala were eliminated in the Elite stage after finishing third behind Duhok SC and Al Quwa Al Jawiya.[21] Following his impressive stint with Karbala, Abdul Ghani returned to Al Najaf.

Return to Al Najaf

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Following the 2009/10 season, Abdul-Ghani returned once again to his boyhood club Al Najaf. His first season ended on a disappointing note after Al Najaf finished in 6th place and were 18 points behind playoff contention.[22] Despite the undesirable results, Al Najaf decided to keep faith with their man, the following season saw the league return to a Round-robin tournament.[23] The league ended with Al Najaf finishing in 9th place. The 12/13 season also finished with Al Najaf in 9th place.[24] Following that season, Abdul-Ghani moved to a new team founded in Al-Najaf playing in the second division named Naft Al-Wasat.

Naft Al Wasat

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Abdul-Ghani Shahad took a gamble and signed for second division side Naft Al Wasat in August 2013.[25] He took them on a historic campaign, finishing first in all three stages undefeated.[26][27][28] A total of twenty-five games without a loss meant that the team would be promoted to the Iraqi Premier League.[29]

The following season Abdul Ghani Shahad led the team to its first ever season in the top flight. They achieved an amazing feat by qualifying to the Elite stage.[30] They went on to qualify to the final to face Al Quwa Al Jawiya[31] They game was played in Al-Shaab Stadium in front of a sold out crowd and the game went to penalties, where Naft Al Wasat ended up winning the match due to the heroics of Noor Sabri saving 3 penalties.[32]

Iraq U23

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In 2015, Shahad was appointed as the manager of the Iraqi U23 team, replacing Yahya Alwan.[33] His first tournament in charge was the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship, in which Iraq finished third, after defeating Qatar in extra time.[34] The bronze medal meant that Iraq also qualified to the 2016 Summer Olympics.[35]

In the Olympic games, Shahad was applauded by fans and pundits for his defensive formations that led to a 0-0 draw with heavyweights Brazil.[36] However, Iraq failed to qualify from the group after finishing in 3rd place with 3 points from 3 games.[37]

Under his management, Iraq qualified to the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship by winning all three games in their qualification group.[38] They were knocked out of the quarterfinals of the competition, following a defeat in penalty kicks against Vietnam.

Iraq National Team

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Following the 2-2 draw vs Thailand,[39] Yahya Alwan resigned as manager of the national side,[40] Abdul-Ghani was brought on as an interim coach.[41] He only managed one game, which he won against Vietnam.[42]

Return to Naft Al Wasat

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In July 2016, Naft Al Wasat reached an agreement with Abdul-Ghani to manage both the club and the U23 side simultaneously.[43] However he left before the end of the season due to his obligations to the Iraqi U23 side.[44]

Al Shorta

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On 18 February 2020, Shahad signed with Al-Shorta to lead them in the restarted 2019–20 league season. The competition was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, Al Shorta still had to complete their 2020 AFC Champions League campaign. The team came close to advancing to the round of 16 but were eliminated on goal difference.[45] Abdul Ghani resigned following a goalless draw against Zakho in the third matchweek of the 2020–21 season, for what he described as "personal reasons".[46]

Al Mina'a

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In January 2021, Al Najaf announced that they have re-signed Abdul Ghani Shahad, bringing him back to his boyhood club[47] However the deal collapsed due to the club's financial hardship. Al Mina'a hired Abdul-Ghani Shadhad after the club had fallen to 19th in the standings.[48] However the deal also collapse due to interest from another one of his former clubs Naft Al Wasat and his desire to stay in Najaf[49]

Statistics

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Managerial

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As of 29 June 2022
Team Nat From To Record
G W D L Win %
Al-Najaf   1999 1999 15 7 5 3 046.67
Al-Najaf   August 2002 July 2008 122 74 27 21 060.66
Al-Talaba   August 2008 May 2009 20 13 4 3 065.00
Karbala   June 2009 March 2010 12 6 4 2 050.00
Najaf   8 April 2010 22 February 2013 128 48 40 40 037.50
Naft Al-Wasat   August 2013 4 August 2015 50 31 13 6 062.00
Iraq (Caretaker)   25 March 2016 29 March 2016 1 1 0 0 100.00
Naft Al-Wasat   1 July 2016 14 March 2017 24 14 8 2 058.33
Iraq U23   10 August 2015 18 February 2020 44 24 14 6 054.55
Al-Shorta   18 February 2020 6 November 2020 15 7 7 1 046.67
Naft Al-Wasat   23 January 2021 10 February 2022 49 20 20 9 040.82
Iraq   10 February 2022 29 March 2022 3 2 1 0 066.67
Naft Al-Wasat   29 March 2022 ""Present"" 13 5 5 3 038.46
Total 377 185 118 74 049.07

Honours

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As Player

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As Manager

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Iraq U-23
Iraq U-23

References

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  1. ^ "Iraq - Record International Players". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  2. ^ "النجف على وشك المشاركه ببطوله ابطال آسيا". 14 October 2003.
  3. ^ "Iraq 2003/04". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Iraqi League 2004-2005 : Groups)". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  5. ^ "Iraq 2004/05". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  6. ^ "Iraqi League 2005/2006 : Groups". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Iraqi League 2005/2006 : Final stage (elite stage)". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  8. ^ "Iraqi League 2005/2006 : Semifinals". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  9. ^ "Iraqi League 2005/2006 : Final". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  10. ^ "الدوري الممتاز العراقي: النوارس تحصد اللقب الحادي عشر على حساب غزلان البادية". Kooora.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  11. ^ Saaid, Hamdan; Stokkermans, Karel (17 March 2016). "Asian Club Competitions 2007". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Iraqi League 2006/2007 : Groups". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  13. ^ "Iraqi League 2007/2008 : Play off". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  14. ^ "Iraqi League 2007/2008 : Groups)". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  15. ^ "Arab Champions' League 2007/08". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  16. ^ "شهد مدرباً لفريق الطلبة العراقي". Elaph.com. 24 October 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  17. ^ "Iraqi League 2008/2009 : Groups)". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  18. ^ "مدربان جديدان يقودان لكربلاء والميناء". Kooora.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  19. ^ "عبد الغني شهد مدربا لنادي كربلاء". وكالة نون الخبرية. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  20. ^ "Iraqi League 2009/2010 : Group Stage". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  21. ^ "Iraqi League 2009/2010 : Elite Stage". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  22. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. ^ "Iraqi Elite League - Asiacell 2011/2012 : League". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  24. ^ "Summary - Iraqi League - Iraq - Results, fixtures, tables and news". Soccerway.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  25. ^ "اخر تعاقدات نادي نفط الوسط". Dorar-aliraq.net. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  26. ^ "Iraqi First Division League 2013-2014 : Group stage". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  27. ^ "Iraqi First Division League 2013-2014 : Elite stage". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  28. ^ "Iraqi First Division League 2013-2014 : Final stage". Goalzz.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  29. ^ "نفط الوسط يبدأ تدريباته والمدرب يعتبر تأجيل الدوري خدم الفرق المتأهلة - رياضة". Alsumaria.tv. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  30. ^ "مدرب نفط الوسط يعتبر تأهل فريقه لنهائيات الدوري الممتاز إنجازا فريدا - رياضة". Alsumaria.tv. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  31. ^ "اليوم.. نهائي الممتاز بين الجوية ونفط الوسط". Newsabah.com. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  32. ^ "نفط الوسط يطيح بالقوة الجوية ويتوج بلقب الدوري العراقي". Kooora.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  33. ^ "عبد الغني شهد مدرباً للمنتخب الأولمبي - قناة الفلوجة". Alfallujah.tv. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  34. ^ "AFC U-23 CHAMPIONSHIP 2016". The-afc.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  35. ^ "Iraq hail momentous occasion after sealing Olympics berth - AFC". The-afc.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  36. ^ "Neymar and Brazil held scoreless in Olympic soccer". Sbnation.com. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  37. ^ "How they rated? Breaking down Iraq's performance player by player at Rio 2016". Socceriraq.net. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  38. ^ "AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers: Iraq through to finals". The-afc.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  39. ^ "Iraq vs. Thailand - Football Match Report - March 24, 2016 - ESPN". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  40. ^ "Iraq head coach resigns after Thailand draw". Footballchannel.asia. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  41. ^ "Shahad: The pressure was huge". Fifa.com. 3 April 2016. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  42. ^ "World Cup (Sky Sports)". SkySports. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  43. ^ "عبد الغني شهد مدربا لنفط الوسط العراقي". Kooora.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  44. ^ "نفط الوسط يكشف موعد تحديد خليفة شهد". Kooora.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  45. ^ "رسميا.. الشرطة يودع دوري ابطال اسيا".
  46. ^ https://www.alsumaria.tv/Entertainment-News/363838/%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A9/alsumaria-news
  47. ^ "شهد مدرباً للنجف العراقي".
  48. ^ "إدارة الميناء تسمي عبد الغني شهد مدرباً لفريقها الكروي".
  49. ^ "عندليب الفرات يعرقل اتفاق الميناء مع شهد".
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