32 Facts About Ismail Matar

Ismail Matar Ibrahim Khamis Al Mukhaini Al Junaibi is an Emirati former footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or forward.

Ismail Matar is best known for leading the UAE to their first ever trophy, which was held in Abu Dhabi in 2007.

Ismail Matar scored 5 goals in 5 games, and was named player of the tournament and the top scorer.

Ismail Matar continued his brilliant presence in that season and scored 14 goals, as he was named the Best Emarati Young Player in the UAE League and led Al-Wahda to the UAE Pro-League and the President's Cup titles.

Ismail Matar was the only player in that season that has been scored in the Goal of Muhsin Musabah five goals including two goals in the first round and two in the second round and a goal in the cup final from penalty shot out.

Ismail Matar was most prominent in the ranks of Al-Wahda players, help the club to win the league title and finished as runners-up in the Domestic Cup.

Al-Wahda had the strongest line of attack in that season, and Ismail Matar was playmaker of heavy caliber, which he was nominated for the Best Emarati Player.

Ismail Matar was more vigor and vitality and strength and fitness and determination to win and was serious player at the same time at the season.

On 6 May 2009, Al-Wahda announced that Ismail Matar had been moved to Qatari club Al-Sadd on loan until the end of the season to participate with the club in the Emir Cup.

Ismail Matar took part in the Emir Cup quarter-final, coming on as a substitute for Hassan Al Haidos after 22 minutes.

Ismail Matar played a great match, scoring Al-Sadd's third goal in extra time, as well as creating the other two goals.

Ismail Matar was named the Man of the Match, in addition to being immediately awarded two thousand dollars by the Qatar Football Association.

On 10 October 2009, Ismail Matar injured in UAE's friendly match against Palestine, and was out for almost five weeks.

On 24 November 2009, Ismail Matar returned from injury and play against Baniyas in the UAE President's Cup and played in the last minutes.

On 17 December 2009, Ismail Matar named as The Most Popular Arab Player, commented Ismail Matar, when received the award "This award is dear to his heart of pride and honor him, because the love of the fans and a badge on his chest and thanked everyone who voted him".

Ismail Matar had received invasion from Al-Ittihad to participate in the ceremony to retire star Hamzah Idris against Juventus on 30 December 2009.

Ismail Matar assisted Mahmoud Khamees to score the only goal in the match in the 72nd minute.

Ismail Matar played 13 matches against Saudi clubs in the Asian Champions League, during which he won twice over Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahly, and drew 6 times, compared to losing on 5 occasions, while scoring 3 goals during those confrontations.

Ismail Matar played against Al-Nasr in the final price of the 2019 edition, losing in one and drawing in the other, to bid his team farewell to the championship from that round and the 2021 quarter-finals, and scored his team's only goal despite the exclusion.

In 2016, Ismail Matar has been rumoured to join Selangor FC in Malaysian Super league.

Ismail Matar was part of UAE's squad for 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship which held in home country.

Ismail Matar began his stardom to reach to the quarter-finals when he scored the only goal in the tournament against Australia.

Ismail Matar won the Golden Ball award and became the first Arab player to wins this award.

Ismail Matar is the third player to win both titles on the best player and top scorer in the tournament after Iraqi player Hussein Saeed in 1984 and Qatari Mubarak Mustafa in 1992.

Ismail Matar was named as one of the three overage players to participate in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom.

Ismail Matar called up for two friendly matches against Palestine on 10 October 2009 and Jordan on 14 October.

Ismail Matar was injured in match against Palestine and was replaced in 30th minute.

On 5 November 2009, UAE coach Srecko Katanec announced the squad for the next training camp in November 2009, but Ismail Matar was not called up because of injury.

Ismail Matar was returned to the squad for the friendly match against Kuwait on 16 December 2009.

Ismail Matar faced cheekbone fracture during Arabian Gulf League in late 2018 and had to go through surgery.

Ismail Matar belongs to the Al Mukhaini family where his origins can be traced from the Sur city in Oman, he has a close relationship with the midfielder of Oman national football team and Al Ittihad player Ahmed Hadid as they are cousins.

Ismail Matar's father died on 2 January 2009 and Matar was in the 19th Arabian Gulf Cup in Oman, he did not participate with the national team and instead left to the UAE to attend the funeral of his father.