Haitham Ali Mohamad Al Haj Ali Zein (; born 6 January 1979), or simply Haitham Zein, is a Lebanese former footballer who played as a forward. He played for numerous Lebanese Premier League clubs, mainly at Tadamon Sour, and represented Lebanon internationally.
Early life Zein was born in Iraq to parents from Burj el-Shamali, Lebanon; he began playing football aged 11 in the streets of the Al-Anbar Governorate. He then moved to Lebanon with his family due to the Gulf War.
Club career
Tadamon Sour Zein signed for Tadamon Sour's youth team in 1994. He made his senior debut in 1995, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute against Bourj at the Saida Municipal Stadium; trailing 2–1, Zein scored a goal and assisted two, helping his side overturn the result to 4–2. He played with Tadamon until 2005, scoring 94 league goals.
Nejmeh On 9 November 2005, Zein moved to Nejmeh, spending half a season. He described his short experience at Nejmeh as negative.
Bahrain SC He moved abroad to Bahrain SC in 2006.
Return to Lebanon He returned to Lebanon in 2008, signing for Chabab Ghazieh, before moving to Islah Borj Shmali the following season. Zein was among the league's top scorers in the 2010–11 Lebanese Premier League, scoring eight goals. In October 2011, he signed for Salam Sour, making 15 appearances for the side and scoring three goals. He retired that season.
Zein scored 112 goals in the Lebanese Premier League – 96 without considering his goals scored in the cancelled 2000–01 season.
International career In 2002, Zein played for the Lebanon Olympic team at the 2002 Asian Games, scoring a goal in an 11–0 win against Afghanistan. He played for the senior team between 1998 and 2004. He played 50 international matches, scoring 16 goals.
Managerial career Between 2016 and 2017, Zein was part of the technical staff of his former club Islah Borj Shmali.
Personal life Zein's nephew, Mahdi Zein, also plays football.
Career statistics
International +List of international goals scored by Haitham Zein No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 23 August 1999 Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan 1–0 3–1 1999 Arab Games 2. 2–0 3. 3–0 4. 25 August 1999 Al-Hassan Stadium, Irbid, Jordan 1–0 1–11999 Arab Games 5. 16 February 2000 Lebanon 1–0 1–0 Friendly 6. 8 March 2000 King Abdullah II Stadium, Amman, Jordan 1–1 1–1 Friendly 7. 25 May 2000 King Abdullah II Stadium, Amman, Jordan 1–0 2–02000 WAFF Championship 8. 25 June 2000 Tripoli, Lebanon 1–1 1–3 Friendly 9. 10 September 2000 Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon 2–? 2–2Friendly 10. 7 March 2001 Tripoli International Stadium, Tripoli, Lebanon 1–0 2–2Friendly 11. 13 May 2001 Beirut Municipal Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon 1–0 6–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 12. 2–0 13. 5–0 14. 28 May 2001 Suphachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand 4–0 5–02002 FIFA World Cup qualification 15. 9 June 2004 Beirut Municipal Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon 1–0 3–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 16. 19 June 2004 Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran 1–3 1–3 2004 WAFF Championship
Honours Tadamon Sour Lebanese FA Cup: 2000–01
Individual Lebanese Premier League top scorer: 1998–99, 2000–01 Lebanese Premier League Team of the Season: 1998–99
See also List of Lebanon international footballers List of Lebanon international footballers born outside Lebanon List of association football families
References
External links
Haitham Zein at RSSSF