Oman: Premier League Nations
Continuing our alphabetical world tour, next up is Oman, the only country in the world beginning with the letter O. According to the Premier League website, Oman has had just one player appear in the Premier League – a goalkeeper with 135 international caps to his name that you will likely remember.
First (and only) Player – Ali Al-Habsi (Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic; 2006-13)
Moving to England in 2006, Ali Al-Habsi spent five years at Bolton, where he made only 10 league appearances as understudy to long time first-choice goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. All of those appearances came in 2007/08, in which he played a further six cup fixtures, including the memorable 2-2 draw away at Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup (now Europa League).
An established international with Oman by this point, Al-Habsi spent 2010/11 on loan at Premier League rivals Wigan, reveling in his increased game time and sealing a permanent move the following summer.
Al-Habsi was on the bench for Wigan’s historic FA Cup win in 2012/13, which was to prove his final season in the Premier League as the Latics were also relegated.
Records
- Most appearances – Ali Al-Habsi (111)
- First appearance – Ali Al-Habsi (Wigan 1-0 BOLTON, March 16th 2008)
- Most goals – None
- First goal – N/A
Trivia
- Ali Al-Habsi had played for Bolton away at Bayern Munich, Red Star Belgrade and Sporting Lisbon before he made his first Premier League appearance.
- Only 61 footballers have won more than Ali Al-Habsi’s 135 official international caps.