405 Days, the return of Ali Abbas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This weekend Australian football saw the return of Ali Abbas to the pitch for Sydney FC, after over a year’s absence due to injury, and he made his return with an exclamation.

Abbas’ story is not unique.  The Sounder Steve Zakuani was sidelined by a horrific tackle in Colorado that left him with three fractures in his leg.  441 days later, against that same Colorado Rapids side, Zakuani made an emotional return.  Former Spanish international Michu also made his return to the game this weekend for 4^th tiered side UP Langreo after ankle injuries limited his ability to play for Swansea City and during his loan spell to S.S.C. Napoli.  Michu tallied an assist after coming on as a second half substitute.

Abbas’ injury is possible the least troubling thing he has faced in his life.  In 2007 at age 21 Abbas was playing with the Iraqi U-23 side against Australia’s Olympic team when he and two other players defected to Australia, fearing the growing violence in their homeland.  Australia accepted the trio.

Displaying himself as a midfield power in the New South Wales Premier League with the Marconi Stallions, the A-League came beckoning.  He was trailed with the Newcastle Jets but ultimately not offered a full season contract for the 2009-10 season.  Due to injuries at the club, he would be signed on as an injury replacement player a month after the season started, which turned into an extension all the way to 2012.

Sydney FC, one of the giants in Australia football came calling and Abbas made the switch and signed for the big club in the big city.  His standing as a fan favorite was cemented in Sydney’s FFA Cup match against their interstate rival Melbourne Victory.  With a penalty shootout looming Abbas slotted home two penalties in the 111^th and 114^th minutes to give Sydney a 3-1 win in their first away match in the FFA Cup.

Three months later in the opening exchanges of the Sydney Derby against the Western Sydney Wanderers, Abbas would collide heavily with Iacopo La Rocca, resulting in Abbas tearing both the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament in his knee.

Just this weekend, after 13 months of rehabilitation and watching his team from the stands, Ali Abbas stepped out onto the pitch of his home stadium as a second half substitute against his former club the Newcastle Jets.  In the 72nd minute Abbas found himself on the end of a back heel pass and with only the keeper to beat.  It was as though none of the 405 days had existed as he slotted home Sydney’s second goal, allowing them to cruise to a 2-0 win against the team from the northern beaches.  War, a new language, and injury could not stop him from the game he loves.

Welcome back Ali Abbas.