Asian Cup 2015: Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi aiming to frustrate Socceroos once again
HE has stared down Robin Van Persie, Carlos Tevez and Mikel Arteta from the spot, which is why Ali Al-Habsi is seen as one of the toughest goalkeepers to beat.
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HE has stared down Robin Van Persie, Carlos Tevez and Mikel Arteta from the spot and come out triumphant, which is why Ali Al-Habsi is regarded as one of the toughest goalkeepers to beat.
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And the Socceroos will attest to that, though Al-Habsi himself admits Tim Cahill has tested his shot-stopping skills over the years.
The Omani captain has saved about half of the penalties he’s faced since joining English club Wigan on a permanent deal in 2011 and it was his quick reflexes that earned him a move to England in the first place.
Al-Habsi became the first Omani to play in Europe when he signed for Norway’s Lyn Oslo in 2003.
Having been scouted at training while playing for Oman’s Under-17 side, Al Habsi’s name was already being touted across England as a future star.
The next year he was voted Norwegian goalkeeper of the year and it wasn’t long before he was snapped up by Bolton Wanderers where, incidentally, he crossed paths with Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy.
After waiting patiently on the bench, Al-Habsi finally made his English Premier League debut against Bolton’s local rivals Wigan, who he would later go on to join.
And, though the 33-year-old spent December out on loan at Brighton and Hove Albion, he is still contracted to the Latics.
Having played for Oman since the age of 16 Al-Habsi’s experience, as well as his skill, makes him crucial to the hopes of the tiny Gulf nation in this year’s Asian Cup.
In the last seven matches between Australia and Oman the Socceroos have won three, drawn three and lost one.
But Al-Habsi has been their major foe throughout.
He pulled off a series of magnificent saves to keep the Socceroos scoreless in a crucial World Cup qualifier in 2012 and was again heroic in their most recent encounter.
In March 2013, still under former coach Holger Osieck, the Socceroos had to fight back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw. A trademark Cahill header and a long-range strike by Brett Holman gave the Socceroos a share of the spoils, but it was a brilliant, 93rd minute save by Al-Habsi that prevented Cahill from snatching the win.
Al-Habsi and Cahill, who will lead their teams on Tuesday night, have come up against each other countless times over the years, both in the Premier League and on the international stage.
And Al-Habsi knows first hand what to be wary of.
“I know how classy he (Cahill) is, especially his finishing with his headers,” Al-Habsi said.
“How he jumps and how strong and confident he is in the box - for me he is one of the best strikers I’ve played against in the world.
“I think he’s always scoring against me. But of course it’s going to help me to know him and his career.
“Tim is a top-class player.”
So too is Al-Habsi and that sets up an intriguing battle.
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi aiming to frustrate Socceroos once again
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