Place of birth Oman Name Khalifa Al-Noufali Playing position Role Footballer | Number 99 Height 1.80 m Years Team Weight 78 kg | |
Full name Khalifa Ayil Salim Al-Noufali Date of birth (1984-03-01) 1 March 1984 (age 31) Current team Bowsher Club (#99 / Defender) | ||
Khalifa Ayil Salim Al-Noufali (Arabic: خليفه عايل سالم النوفلي; born 1 March 1984), commonly known as Khalifa Ayil, is an Omani footballer who plays for Bowsher Club in Oman Professional League.
Contents
- Club career
- Gulf Cup of Nations
- AFC Asian Cup
- FIFA World Cup Qualification
- Goals for Senior National Team
- Style of play
- Club
- References
Club career
Khalifa began his career with Oman Club. He quickly became a first team player for the club and after some fantastic showings he moved to a new club Al-Riyadh based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He continued to make some impressive appearances and was quickly sought out by Qatari club Al-Sadd Sports Club which resulted in a promising deal at the club.
After his impressive appearances for Al-Sadd Sports Club, Europe soon came calling for the Omani international. At first he was wanted by Arsenal FC but Al-Sadd refused to deal with the club. He then went on a trial to Spain for Celta de Vigo where a potential loan deal could be sorted out. He fell out with the Al-Sadd management and board of directors by failing to give him his dream. It was mooted around that Celta wanted to take him first on loan with a view to playing him in the reserves and then consider a permanent transfer if the player was then eligible for a transfer to the Spanish club. However, he left Celta in August 2008 with his future very much up in the air.
On New Year's Day 2009, he was arrested after partying in the early morning hours in Saudi Arabia and was under the influence of many units of alcoholic beverages before his arrest. He was later cautioned and was enforced to do community service in the state.
In 2009, he joined top Saudi Arabian football team Al-Ittifaq. Later in the same year he came back to Qatar and signed a deal with Al-Ahli SC. In 2010, he played for Kuwaiti club Al-Kuwait SC and then after one year played for Al-Raed for almost one season. After successful stints at various clubs in the GCC he came back to his home country and signed a deal with Omani giants Dhofar. Just after one season in June 2013, Ayil signed a deal with Al-Nahda Club.
On 30 September 2014, he signed a one-year contract with Bowsher Club of Oman Professional League.
Gulf Cup of Nations
Amad has made appearances in the 2003 Gulf Cup of Nations, the 2004 Gulf Cup of Nations, the 2007 Gulf Cup of Nations and the 2009 Gulf Cup of Nations.
He scored a goal in the 2004 Gulf Cup of Nations in a 3-1 win over Iraq hence helping his country to reach the semi-finals and then the finals of the Gulf Cup of Nations for the first time. But Oman lost in the final to the hosts, Qatar in a penalty shootout after the goalkeeping sensation Ali Al-Habsi missed a penalty. Qatar won the match 6-5 on penalties after the match had ended 1-1 at normal time. Amad Al-Hosni was awarded with the "Top Goal Scorer" award of the competition.
AFC Asian Cup
Khalifa has made appearances in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification, the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification and the 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification.
He scored a goal in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification in a 1-2 loss against Australia. Oman failed to qualify for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
FIFA World Cup Qualification
Khalifa has made five appearances in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification and five in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.
He scored a brace in the Second Round of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification in a 7-0 win over Singapore.
Goals for Senior National Team
Scores and results list Oman's goal tally first.Style of play
Khalifa is naturally a centre-back, although he is a versatile player and can play as a defensive midfielder too. Due to his aggressiveness, he has had a few disciplinary problems in his career. He is known for his spectacular long range shooting skills which he has demonstrated at both the club and country level on a regular basis.