Hashim Saleh

Hashim Saleh Mohammed Al-Balushi (; born 15 October 1981), commonly known as Hashim Saleh, is an Omani footballer. He also played for the Oman national team for a decade.

Club career

Hashim has been wearing the number 9 jersey for clubs like Al-Nasr S.C.S.C. to rivals Dhofar S.C.S.C. In 2008, he returned to Oman and signed for Al-Suwaiq Club but then later returned to Dhofar. During his brief stay at Al-Suwaiq Club, he led them to victory in the Sultan Qaboos Cup final against Al-Nahda Club. After his return to Dhofar, he again lead his club to the final but unfortunately losing to a lower-leveled Saham SC. In 2010 Hashim Saleh renewed his contract with Dhofar, extending his stay with the club for another season and then later played for them till the 2010–11 season. In 2011, he moved to Barka based club Al-Shabab Club and played for two seasons scoring 8 goals. On 27 July 2013, he signed a contract with his former club Dhofar S.C.S.C. On 13 July 2014, he signed a one-year contract with Oman First Division League side Salalah SC.

He has also played for Kuwaiti clubs like Al-Shamal Sports Club, Al-Tadamun SC and Kazma Sporting Club and has also spent a year with Al-Wakrah Sport Club of Qatar.

International career

Arabian Gulf Cup Hashim has made appearances in the 16th Arabian Gulf Cup, the 17th Arabian Gulf Cup, the 18th Arabian Gulf Cup and the 19th Arabian Gulf Cup.

He first showed his talent during the 16th Arabian Gulf Cup in 2003, scoring a goal in a 2–0 win over the United Arab Emirates. In the tournament, Oman finished at the fourth place, hence reaching its best ever position in the Arabian Gulf Cup competition, reaching the final four round for the first time, with eight points from two wins and two draws.

In the 18th Arabian Gulf Cup in 2007, he scored a magnificent goal in a 2–1 win over Kuwait. This goal stunned Kuwait and it was regarded by many as "the best goal in the competition". This was the second time when Oman reached to the finals but again they lost to the hosts, the United Arab Emirates. Ismail Matar, the Emirati legend, scored the lone goal of the match as United Arab Emirates won their first ever Arabian Gulf Cup.

Finally in 2009, he helped his team to win their first ever Arabian Gulf Cup trophy.

AFC Asian Cup Qualification Hashim has made appearances in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification, the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification, the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and the 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification.

He scored two goals in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification, one in a 6–0 win over Nepal and another in a 3–1 win over South Korea hence helping his team to qualify for the 2004 AFC Asian Cup. In the tournament, Oman won four points in a 2–0 win over Thailand and a 2–2 draw against Iran and hence failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.

In the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification, he scored one goal in a 3–0 win over Jordan and again helped his team to qualify for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. Badar Al-Maimani scored one and the only goal of Oman in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup in a 1–1 draw against Australia. In the tournament, Oman won two points in a 1–1 draw against Australia and in a 1–1 draw against Iraq and hence failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.

FIFA World Cup Qualification Hashim has made four appearances in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification, four in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, five in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification and has represented the national team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.

His only goal for Oman in FIFA World Cup qualification came in the first round of 2010 FIFA World Cup in a 2–0 win over Nepal.

Career statistics

Club

International Scores and results list Oman's goal tally first. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 10 October 2003 Muscat, Oman 2–1 2-1 Friendly 2 19 October 2003 Muscat, Oman 6–0 6-0 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification 3 21 October 2003 Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman 3–1 3-1 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification 4 17 December 2003 Muscat, Oman 1–0 1-0 Friendly 5 20 December 2003 Muscat, Oman 1–0 3-1 Friendly 6 20 December 2003 Muscat, Oman 2–1 3-1 Friendly 7 31 December 2003 Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium, Adiliya, Kuwait City, Kuwait 2–0 2-0 16th Arabian Gulf Cup 8 11 October 2005 Al Ain City, UAE 1–1 2-2 Friendly 9 11 October 2005 Al Ain City, UAE 2–2 2-2 Friendly 10 6 February 2006 Doha, Qatar 1–0 1-0 Friendly 11 1 March 2006 Royal Oman Police Stadium, Muscat, Oman 2–0 3-0 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification 12 20 January 2007 Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE 2–1 2-1 18th Arabian Gulf Cup 13 28 October 2008 Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal 1–0 2-0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 14 9 August 2008 Takhti Stadium (Tehran), Tehran, Iran 1–1 1-2 2008 WAFF Championship 15 10 September 2008 Muscat, Oman 1–1 3-2 Friendly 16 17 December 2008 Muscat, Oman 2–1 3-1 Friendly 17 17 December 2008 Muscat, Oman 3–1 3-1 Friendly