The unknown striker who finished WC qualifying as joint top goalscorer alongside Lewandowski

Matt Morley 6 years ago 2.8k
Al Sahlawi knows where the back of the net is. AFP

Robert Lewandowski's 16-goal haul in World Cup qualifying is considered to be and incredible feat, but did you know that he's not the only one to rack up such an impressive tally on the road to Russia?

Saudi Arabia striker Mohammed Al Sahlawi is far from a household name but he proved in World Cup qualifying that he is every bit as prolfic as some of the more well-known international strikers.

After the majority of World Cup qualifying was completed this week, Robert Lewandowski was the talk of the town after plundering an incredible 16 goals for Poland to set them on the road to Russia.

The powerful pole will take all the credit and will be praised to the hilt, but did you know that Al Sahlawi matched the feat in the Asian qualifying group?

The Al-Nasr striker was one of the big surprises in Asia as he took his international goal tally to 28 goals in 35 games.

At the age of 30, he has announced himself on the international scene somewhat late, not that Saudi Arabia will mind, with the Gulf state set for their first World Cup since 2006.

The World Cup will provide the Saudis with an excellent chance to impress and get a big-money move to Europe and despite Al Sahlawi's advancing years, teams will always take a risk on a goalscorer.

Mentioned in the news story

WC Qual. Europe
WC Qual. Asia
Arabia Saudí
M. Al-Sahlawi