Al-Ittihad SC Aleppo

Al-Ittihad Sports Club of Aleppo (Arabic: نادي الاتحاد الرياضي الحلبي) is a professional multi-sports club based in the Syrian city of Aleppo, mostly known for its football team which competes in the Syrian Premier League, the top league of Syrian football.[1] Being one of the most successful clubs (after Al-Jaish, Al-Karamah SC) in Syrian football history, Al-Ittihad won six Syrian football league titles and nine Syrian cups. In Asia, their best performance was in 2010 when they became champions of AFC Cup competition.[2]

This article is about the Syrian football team. For other uses, see Al-Ittihad (disambiguation).
Al-Ittihad of Aleppo
Full nameAl-Ittihad Sports Club of Aleppo
Nickname(s)The Red Castle
Halab Al-Ahli
Founded20 January 1949 (1949-01-20)
GroundAl-Hamadaniah Stadium, Aleppo International Stadium (closed)
Capacity15,000, 53,200
President Rasen Martini
Manager Maher Bahri
LeagueSyrian Premier League
2020–218th
Active departments of
Al-Ittihad SC
Football Men's Basketball Women's Basketball

The club was founded in 1949 and received its license in 1953. They play their home games at the Aleppo International Stadium since its inauguration in 2008. The club have their own ground; Al-Ittihad Stadium with a capacity of 10,000 spectators.

Al-Ittihad are also known for their basketball team.[3] In general, 20 types of sports are being practiced by the club.

History

The club was founded on 20 January 1949 under the name Halab Al-Ahli Club, by the merge of three smaller football teams in Aleppo: Al-Janah (The Wing), Osud Al-Shahba (Lions of Shahba) and Al-Nejmeh (The Star), before getting recognized officially by the ministry of internal affairs on 24 September 1953. In 1972, the name of the club was changed to Al-Ittihad Aleppo by the decision of the Syrian government.[4]

Prior to the foundation of the Syrian official football league, the club have competed in various regional competitions in the Aleppo Governorate such as the regional league of Aleppo and the Aleppo Municipality Shield (Arabic: درع بلدية حلب).

The club have participated in the first ever Syrian football league in 1966–67 when they became champions. Since then, they have never relegated to the bottom level.

Stadiums
Al-Ittihad fans crowded in the Aleppo International Stadium

Al-Ittihad's original home ground since the early 1950s was the Aleppo Municipal Stadium which is considered one of the most historic stadiums in Syria. At the beginning of the 1990s the club moved to the newly built Al-Hamadaniah Stadium. After the inauguration of the Aleppo International Stadium in 2008, the club decided to play their home games at the Syrian league and AFC competitions in the modern stadium which can host around 75,000 spectators. Al-Hamadaniah Stadium is still used as an alternative venue.

Stadium Name Capacity Years
7 April Stadium 12,000 1949–90
Al-Hamadaniah Stadium Original: 25,000 (15,000 after the 2008 renovation) 1990–08, 2021–
Aleppo International Stadium 75,000 2008–
Ri'ayet al-Shabab Stadium 10,000 2017–2021

Training facilities
Al-Ittihad Stadium

The training grounds of al-Ittihad are located in the al-Shahbaa district of Aleppo. The complex is home to the al-Ittihad Stadium with a capacity of 10,000 spectators, a nearby indoor training pitch and many other small pitches. There are also two basketball courts, an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, conference rooms and offices.

Colours and kits

Since its foundation, the traditional colour of Al-Ittihad's home kit is red with various designs over the years. Therefore, the club is nicknamed The Red Castle by the fans as a reference to the city's main landmark; the Citadel of Aleppo. The away kit may vary between a full white kit and a white kit with red stripes on the shirt.

Football achievements
Winners: 1967, 1968, 1977, 1993, 1995, 2005
Winners: 1965, 1973, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1994, 2005, 2006, 2011
Winners: 2010

Performance in AFC competitions
1985: 4th place
2002–03: Qualifying West – 3rd Round
2006: Group Stage
2007: Group Stage
2008: Group Stage
2011: Qualifying Play-off – West Semi-final
2010: Champions
2011: Group Stage
2012: Group Stage
2019: Group Stage

Current squad
As of 11 January 2021

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
13 GK  SYR Emad Idlbi
23 GK  SYR Khaled Haj Othman
— GK  SYR Mohamad Mardini
— DF  SYR Zakaria Boudaqa
— DF  SYR Ahmad Bastanli
— DF  SYR Omar Hemidi
— DF  SYR Zakaria Hasan Beik
— DF  SYR Omar Samman
— DF  SYR Ahmad Al Ali
— DF  SYR Firas Misho
— MF  SYR Mohamad Rihanieh
— MF  SYR Hazem Jabara
— MF  SYR Ayman Salal
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  SYR Fares Hindawi
— MF  SYR Mohamad Mido
— MF  SYR Mohamad Ghabbash
— MF  SYR Abdulhadi Sawas
— MF  SYR Zakaria Al Omari
— MF  SYR Mohamed Al Youssef
— MF  SYR Radwan Kalaji
— MF  SYR Ibrahim Sawas
— MF  SYR Mohamad Al Ahmad
— FW  SYR Saleh Al Raei
— FW  SYR Hussam Omar
— FW  SYR Abdullah Najjar

Administration

Administrative Board of Al-Ittihad Aleppo Club:

Office Name
President of the Board Rasen Martini
Investment and Facilities Director Mulham Tabbara
Member of the Board Jum'a ar-Rashed
Administrative and Legislative Committee Director Ayman Hazzam
Financial Director Ziyad al-Sheikh Omar
Member of the Board Weizar Sarmini
Training Centres Director Reem Sabbagh

Last updated: March 2022
Source: ittihadaleppo.com

Former notable players

For all former Al-Ittihad players with a Wikipedia article, see: Al-Ittihad Aleppo players.

Managerial history
  • Abdel Qader Tayfur (1965–67)
  • Zaki Natoor (1967–77)
  • Mahmoud Sultan (1981–84)
  • Wael Aqqad (1990)
  • Nael Burghol
  • Ahmad Hawash (1992–93)
  • Fateh Zaki (1994–95)
  • Jiří Neverly (1999–00)
  • Osvaldo Ardiles (2001)
  • Stefan Genov (2001–02)
  • Hassan El-Shazly (2002–03)
  • Amin Alati (2003)
  • Mahmoud Abou-Regaila (Feb 2004 – July 2004)
  • Yasser Sibai (2004–05)
  • Ahmad Hawash (2005–06)
  • Hussain Afash (2006–07)
  • Oscar Fulloné (July 2007 – January 2008)
  • Valeriu Tiţa (Feb 2008 – April 2009)
  • Hussain Afash (April 2009 – July 2009)
  • José Rachão (August 2009 – November 2009)
  • Mohammad Khattam (Nov 2009)
  • Fateh Zaki (November 2009 – February 2010)
  • Valeriu Tiţa (February 2010 – December 2010)
  • Kemal Alispahić (January 2011 – June 2011)
  • Amin Alati (November 2011 – December 2011)
  • Hussain Afash (January 2012 – April 2012)
  • Ammar Rihawi (2013)
  • Anas Sabouni (January 2014 – March 2014)
  • Radwan al-Abrash (March 2014 – September 2014)
  • Kais Yâakoubi (August 2019 – February 2020)
  • Ahmad Hawash (February 2020 – February 2021)
  • Arthur Bernardes (February 2021 – May 2021)
  • Igor Tkalčević (July 2021 – March 2022)
  • Maher Bahri (March 2022 – present)

References
  1. "Al-Ittihad SC". goalzz.com. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  2. "AFC Cup 2010 Final". goalzz.com. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  3. "Al-Ittihad, History". asia-basket. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  4. "The History of Al-Ittihad". Al-Ittihad official website (in Arabic). Retrieved 25 January 2012.
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