Hawar Mulla Mohammed

Hawar Mulla Mohammed
Personal information
Full name Hawar Mulla Mohammed Taher
Date of birth (1981-06-01) 1 June 1981
Place of birth Mosul, Iraq
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position Side midfielder, Winger
Club information
Current team
 Retired
Youth career
1998–2000 Mosul
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2005 Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 79 (54)
2005–2006 Al-Ansar 13 (6)
2006–2007 Apollon Limassol 16 (5)
2007 → Al-Ain (loan) 15 (6)
2008 Al Khor 13 (6)
2008–2009 Anorthosis 24 (6)
2009–2010 Persepolis 17 (5)
2011 Esteghlal 10 (2)
2011–2012 Zob Ahan 11 (1[1])
2013–2014 Arbil 23 (14)
2014–2015 Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 0 (0)
National team‡
2001–2012 Iraq 112 (19)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 June 2015.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 June 2012

Hawar Mulla Mohammed Taher Zebari (Kurdish: هەوار مەلا محەمەد تاهر زێبارى‎, Arabic: هوار ملا محمد طاهر زيباري‎‎, born 1 June 1981 in Mosul, Iraq) is a retired Iraqi footballer. He played as a winger or wingback for Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Ansar, Apollon Limassol, Al Khor, Anorthosis, Persepolis, Esteghlal, Zob Ahan, and Arbil before retiring on 11 June 2015.

Hawar was known to be one of the best players in Iraqi national team and was a key figure in Iraq 2007 Asian Cup glory. His younger brother Halgurd Mulla Mohammed is also a national team player.

Career

Having earned a reputation as a regular goalscorer for Iraqi national team and clubs such as Al Ain and Al Ansar, Hawar Mulla Mohammed made a high-profile move to Cypriot champions Anorthosis Famagusta FC in August 2008.

In a little over a month, the 27-year-old entered the history books as the first Iraqi player to feature in the UEFA Champions League, coming off the bench to help Anorthosis hold Werder Bremen to a goalless draw. A fortnight later, he scored in the second half to seal a memorable 3-1 win for the Cypriots over Greek giants Panathinaikos.

In doing so, Mohammed demonstrated that he is more than capable of competing at the highest level, and the experience he has gained at club level will be invaluable to Iraq when they rub shoulders with the world's best at the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009.

Born in June 1981 in Mosul, Mohammed was recruited by his local club, Mosul FC, at the age of 17. After spending three years with the club, he was signed by Baghdad-based Al Quwa Al Jawiya in 2000.

There, his superb scoring flair and speedy surges down the left flank not only won the hearts of the club's faithful, but also earned him a call-up to the national youth team that had qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2001. After flourishing in this fiery baptism on the international stage, he was all but assured of a place with both the Iraq's Olympic team and the nation's senior side.

He certainly played his part at the Olympic Football Tournament Athens 2004, scoring twice as Iraq finished in fourth place. Mohammed opened his account in the Iraqis' 4-2 win over Portugal and was on target again in their 2-0 victory against Costa Rica, results crucial to earning Iraq a spot in the last eight.

His career reached a high point in the AFC Asian Cup 2007, when he started in all six of Iraq's matches en route to their first continental title. Mohammed performed well too, and scored the second goal in Iraq's sensational 3-1 win over Australia in the group stage.

He was also on target against China in Asia's third qualifying round for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, only to see his goal cancelled out by a late header by midfielder Zheng Zhi. Mohammed went on to start in Iraq's next five qualifiers, but the team's lack of consistency took its toll and they failed to progress to Asia's final qualifying round.

With the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 drawing closer, Iraq have a chance to make amends at global level. With Mohammed leading their attack from the left, the Asian hopefuls will certainly pose a threat.

Hawar was criticized by some Kurdish nationalists for wrapping himself with the Iraqi national flag during a tournament. At that time, the Iraqi flag was still the same one used by the Arab Ba'th party's rule over Iraq, and was viewed by Kurds as a sign of oppression.

In December 2007 Hawar signed 6 months contract with the Qatari Club Al-Khor.

In June 2008 he signed with Al-Ansar for his second spell with the club before signing with Anorthosis Famagusta.

Hawar refused to play for Kurdistan football team in VIVA World Cup. There was no main reason for his refusal and the Kurdish media did not go further into the case. Hawar was not the only Kurdish player who refused to play for Kurdistan football team, however his younger brother Halgurd Mulla Mohammed played for Kurdistan and scored three goals in VIVA World Cup.

On 12 August 2008, Hawar signed a one-year contract with Cypriot Champions Anorthosis Famagusta FC.

Hawar made history on 17 September 2008 by becoming the first ever Iraqi player to play in the UEFA Champions League, after coming on as a substitute in Anorthosis' 0-0 draw with Werder Bremen; and bettered his record on 1 October 2008 by scoring Anorthosis' third goal against Panathinaikos In the Champions League. He joined Persepolis in July 2009, moving to Iran in August 2009 for first time.[2] He was very undisciplined during his time in Persepolis and returned late from the international matches all the time but except that he was a successful player and also influential.On 22 October Hawar signed a 1-year contract with Arbil FC and will be playing for free as respect for the club and the fans. There was one clause included in his contract, that if an offer from a foreign club came in for him, he would be free to move without a transfer fee.

On 11 July 2011, it was confirmed on his official fan site that he has been linked to Zob Ahan for a two-year contract.

Club Career statistics

Last update: 28 September 2011

Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Lebanon League FA Cup Asia Total
2005–06Al-AnsarLebanese Premier League 136--
Cyprus League Cypriot Cup Europe Total
2006–07Apollon LimassolCypriot First Division 165--
United Arab Emirates League President's Cup Asia Total
2006–07Al-AinUAE League 156?1
Qatar League Emir of Qatar Cup Asia Total
2007–08Al-KhorQatari League 136--
Cyprus League Cypriot Cup Europe Total
2008–09AnorthosisCypriot First Division 2460051297
Iran League Hazfi Cup Asia Total
2009–10PersepolisPro League 17561--236
Iraq League FA Cup Asia Total
2010–11Arbil SCIraqi Premier League0000--00
Iran League Hazfi Cup Asia Total
2010–11EsteghlalPro League1021062174
2011–12Zob Ahan 111002070
Total Iran 32771824610
Career total 110353
SeasonTeamAssists
09–10Persepolis3
10–11Esteghlal3
11–12Zob Ahan0

International goals

Scores and results list Iraq's goal tally first.

Honours

Country

Club

Individual

Famous Matches

Friday 23 Feb 2007 Al-Ain-Al-Shaab Hawar scored over the half field and brought Al Ain in Semifinal and the match against Qatar who got a goal above the Qatari goal keeper at Khaliji 18.

In the 2007 AFC Asian cup, Hawar scored against Australia, the goal helped the Iraqis to control the match more, and eventually the third goal was scored. The game ended 3-1 to Iraq.

Notes

  1. ↑ http://de.soccerway.com/players/hawar-mulla-mohammed/10663/
  2. ↑ http://fc-perspolis.com/592/هوار_ملا_محمد_در_باشگاه_حاضر_شد
Awards
Preceded by
Iraq Qusay		 Iraqi player of the Year
2005 		Succeeded by
Iraq Nashat
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