Roda Abdelhassan Antar is a Lebanese professional football manager and former player.
36 Facts About Roda Antar
Formerly captain of Lebanon, Antar scored 20 goals for his country as a midfielder.
Roda Antar started his career with Tadamon Sour, progressing through their youth system to the first-team squad where he made his debut at the age of 17.
In 2009, Roda Antar moved to Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng Taishan, where he remained for five years and won a league title in 2010; he then played for Jiangsu Sainty in 2014, and Hangzhou Greentown in 2015.
Roda Antar returned to Tadamon Sour in 2016, where he retired after one season.
Roda Antar represented Lebanon at international level between 1998 and 2016, playing in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, the 2000 and 2012 WAFF Championship, and the 1998 and 2002 Arab Nations Cup.
Roda Antar participated in the qualifiers for the 2002,2006,2010,2014, and 2018 FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Roda Antar scored four league goals for the season, as Tadaman Sour went onto claim a runners-up position in the Lebanese Federation Cup.
Roda Antar was consequently referred to as a "Football God" by Freiburg supporters.
Roda Antar's agent stated that he had offers from Japan, Russia and China.
Roda Antar featured in the 2010 AFC Champions League, where which Shandong were eliminated in the group stage.
In December 2013, Roda Antar stated that he had agreed terms with Jiangsu Sainty and would leave Shandong Luneng on 31 December 2013 in order to become part of Jiangsu Sainty's squad in January 2014.
On 16 January 2015, Roda Antar transferred to fellow Chinese Super League side Hangzhou Greentown.
In 2016, Roda Antar moved back to Lebanon, signing for his former club Tadamon Sour.
Roda Antar scored six league goals in 16 matches, before retiring at the end of the season.
Roda Antar was called up to the Lebanon national team aged 18, making two appearances at the 1998 Arab Nations Cup.
Roda Antar then scored two more goals for Lebanon that same year in friendlies against Kuwait and Oman.
Roda Antar's hat-trick brought him to a total of 12 national team goals.
On 25 March 2013, Roda Antar announced his retirement from international football citing that the constance long-distance traveling had left him physically tired and exhausted.
In late October 2013, Roda Antar announced his return to the national team.
Roda Antar was selected by coach Josip Skoblar for Lebanon's 23-man squad for the 2000 Asian Cup campaign, where Roda Antar was handed the number 20 shirt.
Roda Antar was substituted off of the field for Moussa Hojeij in the 65th minute.
Under German coach Theo Bucker, Roda Antar played a vital role for Lebanon during the first round qualifiers for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring five goals in five appearances.
Roda Antar was named captain in 2004 for the second round qualifiers for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, scoring three goals in four appearances.
Roda Antar featured in two 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches for Lebanon.
Roda Antar had assisted Akram Moghrabi in scoring Lebanon's second goal and scored the third goal himself with a header in the 83rd minute.
Lebanon took the lead after 4 minutes when Roda Antar's shot was blocked and then turned in by Ali Al Saadi.
Roda Antar inspired Lebanon to a spirited and historic victory, recording Lebanon's first ever win over South Korea, and had been instrumental in Lebanon's last four qualifiers as they obtained ten points to share their group's top spot with the South Korea.
Roda Antar scored in the 27th minute from a header off a Mohamad Haidar free-kick, upon his return to the team, having missed the opening three games due to injury.
In October 2011, it was reported that Roda Antar praised the Lebanon national team for their results and stated that it was the best national team in their history.
Roda Antar indicated that his captaincy role was more of a job as opposed to a responsibility and that it was his duty to do his job well and try to win matches alongside his teammates.
Roda Antar celebrated the goal by showing ten fingers twice and pointed to the number 20 on his shirt to indicate that he had achieved 20 national team goals.
Roda Antar ended his international career with 20 goals in 65 appearances.
In June 2017, Roda Antar was appointed head coach of Lebanese club Racing Beirut.
On 12 August 2020, Roda Antar was appointed manager of the Lebanon national under-23 team.
On 28 September 2020, Ahed announced that Roda Antar became the club's head coach.