Abdulla Koni

Abdulla Obaid Koni (Template:Langx; born on 19 July 1979) is a former professional footballer who played as a defender for Al Sadd. Born in Senegal, he represented the Qatar national team.

Career

Koni was born in Senegal. He captained Al Sadd to victory in the AFC Champions League in 2011. In the round of 16 of the tournament, he scored a decisive header against Al Shabab which turned out to be the winner. His team went on to win the tournament, defeating Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the final in South Korea. As a result of the AFC Champions League triumph, he led his team into the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup. In the quarter-finals, he scored the winning goal against Espérance de Tunis slotting in a cross from teammate Lee Jung-Soo, earning his team a 2–1 victory. This set up a semi-final confrontation against Barcelona on 15 December 2011.

With Barcelona leading 1–0 in the 36th minute, Barcelona forward David Villa timed a run well and allowed for a ball to be played over the top into the path of his run. Villa and Koni raced toward the Al Sadd net. As the ball hit the ground, Villa failed to corral the ball, allowing Koni the time to catch up and challenge for the ball on its next bounce. He made a shoulder challenge on Villa as he attempted to strike the ball, causing Villa to fall awkwardly on his left leg and break it. Because of this, Koni was dubbed as "maybe the most influential player of the Euro 2012", even though Spain went on to win the tournament without Villa.

Career statistics

International goals

Scores and results list Qatar's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Koni goal.

List of international goals scored by Abdulla Koni

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1	29 November 2003	Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Singapore	flag alias = Flag of Singapore.svg	flag alias-state = State Marine Ensign of Singapore.svg	flag alias-colonial = Flag of Singapore in the Straits Settlements.svg	flag alias-colonial-1946 = Flag of Singapore (1946–1952).svg	flag alias-colonial-1952 = Flag of Singapore (1952–1959).svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Singapore.svg	flag alias-military = SAFinfoboxflag.png	link alias-military = Singapore Armed Forces	flag alias-army = SingaporeArmyinfoboxflag.png	link alias-army = Singapore Army	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Singapore.svg	link alias-naval = Republic of Singapore Navy	flag alias-air force = RSAFinfoboxflag.png	link alias-air force = Republic of Singapore Air Force	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Singapore.svg	link alias-navy = Republic of Singapore Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2004 Asian Cup qual. ||
2	8 January 2004	Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Kuwait	flag alias = Flag of Kuwait.svg	flag alias-1844 = Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1844–1922).svg	flag alias-1914 = Flag of Kuwait (1914-1921).svg	flag alias-1921 = Flag of Kuwait (1921-1940).svg	flag alias-1940 = Flag of Kuwait (1940-1961).svg	flag alias-naval-1956 = Maritime Ensign of Kuwait 1956-1961.svg	flag alias-republic-1990 = Flag of Kuwait.svg	size =	name =	altvar = football	altlink = national football team	variant = }} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|2–1 || 16th Arabian Gulf Cup ||
3	1 December 2004		{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Lebanon	flag alias = Flag of Lebanon.svg	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Lebanese Air Force.svg	link alias-air force = Lebanese Air Force	flag alias-army = Flag of the Lebanese Armed Forces (Front).svg	link alias-army = Lebanese Ground Forces	flag alias-navy = Drapeau de Forces Navales Libanaises.jpg	link alias-navy = Lebanese Navy	flag alias-naval = Naval Jack of Lebanon.gif	link alias-naval = Lebanese Navy	flag alias-1918 = Flag of Lebanon (1918-1920).svg	flag alias-1920 = Flag of Lebanon (1920-1943).svg	flag alias-1920a = Flag of the French Mandate of Syria (1920).svg	flag alias-1920b = Lebanese French flag.svg	flag alias-1943 = Flag of Lebanon (1943-1990).svg	size =	name =	variant =	altlink = national football team }} || align="center"|4–0 || align="center"|4–1 || Friendly match ||
4	16 November 2007	Thani bin Jassim Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Georgia (country)	shortname alias = Georgia	flag alias = Flag of Georgia.svg	flag alias-1008 = Sakartvelo_-_drosha.svg	flag alias-1762 = Flag_of_Kingdom_of_Kartli-Kakheti.svg	flag alias-1918 = Flag of Georgia (1918–1921).svg	flag alias-1921 = Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1921–1922).svg	flag alias-1922 = Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1922–1937).svg	flag alias-1937 = Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1937–1951).svg	flag alias-1951 = Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg	flag alias-1990 = Flag of Georgia (1990–2004).svg	flag alias-naval-1997 = Naval ensign of Georgia (1997–2004).svg	link alias-naval-1997 = Georgian Navy	flag alias-army = Army Flag of Georgia.svg	link alias-army = Georgian Land Forces	flag alias-coast guard=Battle ensign of the Coast Guard of Georgia.svg	link alias-coast guard=Coast Guard of Georgia	flag alias-military = Flag of the Georgian Armed Forces.svg	link alias-military = Georgian Armed Forces	flag alias-navy=Flag of the Georgian Border Police.svg	link alias-navy=Border Police of Georgia	flag alias-air force=Flag of the Aviation and Air Defense Command of the Defense Forces of Georgia.png	link alias-air force=Georgian Air Force	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Georgia.svg	link alias-naval = Georgian Navy	empty = Georgia XV national rugby union team	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–2 || Friendly match ||

Honours

Club

Al Sadd

• FIFA Club World Cup bronze medalist: 2011
• AFC Champions League: 2011
• Arab Champions League: 2001
• Qatari League: 1999–2000, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2012–13
• Emir of Qatar Cup: 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007
• Qatar Crown Prince Cup: 1998, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008
• Sheikh Jassem Cup: 1998, 2000, 2002, 2007
• Qatari Stars Cup: 2010-11

External links

• Player profile - doha-2006.com
• Template:FIFA
• Template:NFT