Oussama Assaidi
Encyclopedia
Oussama Assaidi is a Moroccan
footballer. He currently plays for Eredivisie
side SC Heerenveen and for the Morocco national football team
. He previously played for FC Omniworld
and De Graafschap
.
On the last day of the transfer period Oussama made the move to SC Heerenveen. The move was striking because Heerenveen wasn't planning on buying new players. But thanks to the good start of the season of Oussama (5 games, 5 goals) and the poor start of Heerenveen, an exception was made to bring Assaidi to the club.
, in a 7-0 away win against SDC Putten. After coming off the bench in the next 3 league games, Assaidi was given a place in the starting line-up for the first time in an away match against Willem II
. It was however not a success, as Heerenveen suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat, while Assaidi was substituted after 56 minutes.
Oussama was given another chance in the starting line-up in the next game, at home against ADO Den Haag
. At that point, Heerenveen had won only 2 out of 11 games and was standing on the 17th place in the 18-team league. Assaidi made full use of this opportunity to shine, he played for 84 minutes and delivered an assist on Michel Papadopulos. The game was won with a score of 3-0.
Assaidi started again against in an away game against FC Utrecht. He played for 77 minutes in an impressive 3-2 away win. The next game against AFC Ajax was lost at the Amsterdam ArenA
in a 5-1 defeat, but Heerenveen bounced back, winning their 3rd game in 4 matches with a 3-1 home win against RKC Waalwijk
.
Assaidi's presence in the starting line-up seemed to help Heerenveen find their form back.
Oussama's first league goal for Heerenveen came against Heracles Almelo
. It was also the first game where he played all 90 minutes for the club, without getting substituted. It didn't prove to be helpful, as Heerenveen already went 2-0 behind early in the game and they eventually left Almelo with a 3-1 defeat, with Assaidi scoring the only goal for the Frisians. It was the start of a bad period in Heerenveen's season, where 5 games out of 6 were lost. Assaidi lost his starting place towards the end of the season, with only 2 starts in the last 14 games of the season. Oussama received the first red card of his career in an away match against Roda JC Kerkrade. Assaidi came in with a strong tackle on Ruud Vormer
and was sent off after just 9 minutes into the game in his final start of the season.
In his first season at the Frisian club, Oussama played in 20 league games, with 11 as a starter, in which he scored 1 goals and delivered 3 assists. He also made his debut on the European stage, playing in all 6 games and starting in 4 in the group stage of the 2009-10 UEFA Europa League
. Assaidi scored his first European goal against Sporting Portugal at the Estádio José Alvalade
in Lisbon
. The goal gave the Frisians the lead, but an injury-time equaliser spoiled Heerenveen's hope of progressing to the next round.
made the switch from rivals FC Groningen. The season began with a place in the starting line-up of Heerenveen. However, the first match, a home game against PSV Eindhoven, was lost with a 3-1 scoreline.
Under Jans, Assaidi started to become a key figure in the side. With 2 goals against De Graafschap
and Vitesse, combined with 2 assists against De Graafschap and NAC Breda
, Oussama was responsible for 4 goals in the first 6 games, the same amount of goals that he created in his whole previous season. Assaidi had his best month so far in November. After scoring in a 2-0 win against Excelsior, Assaidi delivered 2 assists against Heracles Almelo
(3-2), 1 against Feyenoord (2-2) and 2 against Willem II
(5-0). His best match was yet to come.
On December 12, 2010, Assaidi displayed a Man of the Match-performance in a home match against the defending champions FC Twente
. Despite having to deal with the effects of an ankle injury being aggravated earlier on the day, Assaidi led Heerenveen to a crushing 6-2 win over the champions by scoring the first hattrick of his career, while delivering 2 more assists and a penalty after he was fouled. After the match, he was applauded for his performance by his trainer Ron Jans, saying that Oussama deserved a 10 out of 10 for his play.
His performances were rewarded with an invitation by national team coach Erik Gerets for the national team of Morocco, who were in preparations for a friendly game on February 9, 2011, against Niger
. Assaidi made his debut for Morocco, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute for Adel Taarabt
.
The 2009-10 season turned out to be a successful one for Assaidi. With 9 goals and 13 assists in 31 league games, starting in 30, Assaidi became one of the most important players at the club. His good season didn't remain unnoticed, as the winger was linked with PSV Eindhoven, after the departure of their high profile-winger Balázs Dzsudzsák
to Anzhi Makhachkala. Assaidi made his intention that he wouldn't say no to a move to PSV, being quoted as saying that "it would be the right move for my career", whilst saying at the same time that he "is having a good time at Heerenveen and has a good working relationship with trainer Ron Jans."
. His first invitation for a senior team came in February 2011, when the national team coach of Morocco, Erik Gerets, called him up for Morocco's friendly match against Niger
. Assaidi made his debut in Morocco's 4-0 win over Niger, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute for Adel Taarabt
. However, since it was a friendly, Assaidi was still eligible to play for the Netherlands.
Any doubt about his allegiance were quickly taken away though, when Oussama announced on February 14, 2011, that his choice for Morocco was definite. Oussama was called up against for Morocco's qualification match for the 2012 African Cup of Nations against Algeria
. The match was played on March 27, 2011. Assaidi came on as a substitute in the 89th minute of the match, meaning that his services on international level became exclusive to Morocco, however he could not prevent his home nation losing 1-0 against the Algerians.
Assaidi seemed to have found his place in the squad, as he received another call-up for the 4th group match on June 4, again facing Algeria, but this time in Marrakech
. In a 4-3-3 formation, Assaidi was given a place in the starting line-up on the right wing. Morocco cruised to a 4-0 win, with Assaidi scoring his first international goal as well. The result meant that Morocco would take the lead in the group, giving them a good chance to qualify for the Africa Cup.
Last update: December 19, 2010
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
footballer. He currently plays for Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
side SC Heerenveen and for the Morocco national football team
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
. He previously played for FC Omniworld
FC Omniworld
Almere City Football Club is a Dutch football club. The club was founded in 2001, and is an expression of the ambitions of the city council of Almere to play an active role in top sports. To that end, a sports club was formed, which now comprises a volleyball branch, a basketball branch and a...
and De Graafschap
De Graafschap
De Graafschap is a professional football club from Doetinchem, Netherlands. It was formed on 1 February 1954 and they play their home games at the "De Vijverberg" stadium. Their current home ground stands on where the old pitch used to be located and was opened on 12 August 2000...
.
Early career
Oussama came as a youth player from the youth academy in AZ. He began his professional career in the 06/07 season at FC Omniworld in the first division. After two seasons with the club from Almere, where he 36 games (three goals) played, he went in the summer of 2008 to De Graafschap.On the last day of the transfer period Oussama made the move to SC Heerenveen. The move was striking because Heerenveen wasn't planning on buying new players. But thanks to the good start of the season of Oussama (5 games, 5 goals) and the poor start of Heerenveen, an exception was made to bring Assaidi to the club.
2009-2010 season
Assaidi made his debut in a home game in a losing effort against arch-rivals FC Groningen (0-1), where he came on in the 71st minute as a substitute for Paulo Henrique. He also scored his first official goal for Heerenveen in the 2nd round of the 2009–10 KNVB Cup2009–10 KNVB Cup
The 2009–10 KNVB Cup was the 92nd season of the Dutch national football knockout tournament. The competition began on 29 August 2009 with the matches of Round 1 and culminated with a double-leg Final on 25 April and 6 May 2010 respectively...
, in a 7-0 away win against SDC Putten. After coming off the bench in the next 3 league games, Assaidi was given a place in the starting line-up for the first time in an away match against Willem II
Willem II Tilburg
Willem II , also known as Willem II Tilburg, is a football club based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands. The team was founded on 12 August 1896 as Tilburgia...
. It was however not a success, as Heerenveen suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat, while Assaidi was substituted after 56 minutes.
Oussama was given another chance in the starting line-up in the next game, at home against ADO Den Haag
ADO Den Haag
Alles Door Oefening Den Haag , commonly known by the abbreviated name ADO Den Haag , is a Dutch football club from the city of The Hague. The club was for a time known as FC Den Haag , with ADO representing the amateur branch of the club...
. At that point, Heerenveen had won only 2 out of 11 games and was standing on the 17th place in the 18-team league. Assaidi made full use of this opportunity to shine, he played for 84 minutes and delivered an assist on Michel Papadopulos. The game was won with a score of 3-0.
Assaidi started again against in an away game against FC Utrecht. He played for 77 minutes in an impressive 3-2 away win. The next game against AFC Ajax was lost at the Amsterdam ArenA
Amsterdam ArenA
Amsterdam Arena is a stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is the largest stadium in the nation and it was built from 1993 to 1996 at a cost of €140 million, and was officially opened on 14 August 1996. It has been used for association football, American football, concerts, and other events...
in a 5-1 defeat, but Heerenveen bounced back, winning their 3rd game in 4 matches with a 3-1 home win against RKC Waalwijk
RKC Waalwijk
RKC Waalwijk is a football club currently playing in the Eredivisie. Its name is derived from 'Rooms Katholieke Combinatie' and was a fusion club of HEC, WVB and Hercules.-History:...
.
Assaidi's presence in the starting line-up seemed to help Heerenveen find their form back.
Oussama's first league goal for Heerenveen came against Heracles Almelo
Heracles Almelo
Heracles Almelo is a football club from Almelo, Netherlands.Heracles Almelo were founded on May 3, 1903 as Heracles, after the demigod son of Zeus. They changed their name on July 1, 1974 to SC Heracles '74 and finally settled on the current name in 1998. The club has won the Dutch national title...
. It was also the first game where he played all 90 minutes for the club, without getting substituted. It didn't prove to be helpful, as Heerenveen already went 2-0 behind early in the game and they eventually left Almelo with a 3-1 defeat, with Assaidi scoring the only goal for the Frisians. It was the start of a bad period in Heerenveen's season, where 5 games out of 6 were lost. Assaidi lost his starting place towards the end of the season, with only 2 starts in the last 14 games of the season. Oussama received the first red card of his career in an away match against Roda JC Kerkrade. Assaidi came in with a strong tackle on Ruud Vormer
Ruud Vormer
Ruud Vormer is a Dutch footballer who plays for Roda JC. He started his career with AZ.-References:...
and was sent off after just 9 minutes into the game in his final start of the season.
In his first season at the Frisian club, Oussama played in 20 league games, with 11 as a starter, in which he scored 1 goals and delivered 3 assists. He also made his debut on the European stage, playing in all 6 games and starting in 4 in the group stage of the 2009-10 UEFA Europa League
2009–10 UEFA Europa League group stage
The 2009–10 UEFA Europa League group stage matches took place between 17 September and 17 December 2009.The group stage featured the 38 winners of the play-off round and the 10 losing sides of the Champions League play-off round....
. Assaidi scored his first European goal against Sporting Portugal at the Estádio José Alvalade
Estádio José Alvalade
Estádio José Alvalade is a football stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, home of Sporting Clube de Portugal, one of the country's biggest clubs. It is the center of a complex called Alvalade XXI , designed by Portuguese architect...
in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
. The goal gave the Frisians the lead, but an injury-time equaliser spoiled Heerenveen's hope of progressing to the next round.
2010-11 season
The 2010-11 season of the Eredivisie saw Assaidi playing his games under a new coach. Ron JansRon Jans
Ron Jans is a former Dutch association football player in the role of striker, and current manager of SC Heerenveen.-Coaching career:...
made the switch from rivals FC Groningen. The season began with a place in the starting line-up of Heerenveen. However, the first match, a home game against PSV Eindhoven, was lost with a 3-1 scoreline.
Under Jans, Assaidi started to become a key figure in the side. With 2 goals against De Graafschap
De Graafschap
De Graafschap is a professional football club from Doetinchem, Netherlands. It was formed on 1 February 1954 and they play their home games at the "De Vijverberg" stadium. Their current home ground stands on where the old pitch used to be located and was opened on 12 August 2000...
and Vitesse, combined with 2 assists against De Graafschap and NAC Breda
NAC Breda
NAC Breda , simply often known as NAC, is a Dutch professional football club, based in Breda, Netherlands. NAC Breda play in the Rat Verlegh Stadium, named after their most important player, Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh. They play in the Dutch Eredivisie and are known by the fierce and fanatic support of...
, Oussama was responsible for 4 goals in the first 6 games, the same amount of goals that he created in his whole previous season. Assaidi had his best month so far in November. After scoring in a 2-0 win against Excelsior, Assaidi delivered 2 assists against Heracles Almelo
Heracles Almelo
Heracles Almelo is a football club from Almelo, Netherlands.Heracles Almelo were founded on May 3, 1903 as Heracles, after the demigod son of Zeus. They changed their name on July 1, 1974 to SC Heracles '74 and finally settled on the current name in 1998. The club has won the Dutch national title...
(3-2), 1 against Feyenoord (2-2) and 2 against Willem II
Willem II Tilburg
Willem II , also known as Willem II Tilburg, is a football club based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands. The team was founded on 12 August 1896 as Tilburgia...
(5-0). His best match was yet to come.
On December 12, 2010, Assaidi displayed a Man of the Match-performance in a home match against the defending champions FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
. Despite having to deal with the effects of an ankle injury being aggravated earlier on the day, Assaidi led Heerenveen to a crushing 6-2 win over the champions by scoring the first hattrick of his career, while delivering 2 more assists and a penalty after he was fouled. After the match, he was applauded for his performance by his trainer Ron Jans, saying that Oussama deserved a 10 out of 10 for his play.
His performances were rewarded with an invitation by national team coach Erik Gerets for the national team of Morocco, who were in preparations for a friendly game on February 9, 2011, against Niger
Niger national football team
The Niger national football team, nicknamed the Menas, is overseen by the Fédération Nigerienne de Football and a member of CAF. Niger plays in the colors of the Flag of Niger, white, green, and orange...
. Assaidi made his debut for Morocco, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute for Adel Taarabt
Adel Taarabt
Adel Taarabt is a Moroccan footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers as an Attacking midfielder and can also be used as a winger....
.
The 2009-10 season turned out to be a successful one for Assaidi. With 9 goals and 13 assists in 31 league games, starting in 30, Assaidi became one of the most important players at the club. His good season didn't remain unnoticed, as the winger was linked with PSV Eindhoven, after the departure of their high profile-winger Balázs Dzsudzsák
Balázs Dzsudzsák
Balázs Dzsudzsák is a Hungarian footballer who plays for Russian Premier League club Anzhi Makhachkala and the Hungarian national team as a winger.- Early life :...
to Anzhi Makhachkala. Assaidi made his intention that he wouldn't say no to a move to PSV, being quoted as saying that "it would be the right move for my career", whilst saying at the same time that he "is having a good time at Heerenveen and has a good working relationship with trainer Ron Jans."
International career
Assaidi was eligible to play for both The Netherlands as MoroccoMorocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
. His first invitation for a senior team came in February 2011, when the national team coach of Morocco, Erik Gerets, called him up for Morocco's friendly match against Niger
Niger national football team
The Niger national football team, nicknamed the Menas, is overseen by the Fédération Nigerienne de Football and a member of CAF. Niger plays in the colors of the Flag of Niger, white, green, and orange...
. Assaidi made his debut in Morocco's 4-0 win over Niger, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute for Adel Taarabt
Adel Taarabt
Adel Taarabt is a Moroccan footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers as an Attacking midfielder and can also be used as a winger....
. However, since it was a friendly, Assaidi was still eligible to play for the Netherlands.
Any doubt about his allegiance were quickly taken away though, when Oussama announced on February 14, 2011, that his choice for Morocco was definite. Oussama was called up against for Morocco's qualification match for the 2012 African Cup of Nations against Algeria
Algeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
. The match was played on March 27, 2011. Assaidi came on as a substitute in the 89th minute of the match, meaning that his services on international level became exclusive to Morocco, however he could not prevent his home nation losing 1-0 against the Algerians.
Assaidi seemed to have found his place in the squad, as he received another call-up for the 4th group match on June 4, again facing Algeria, but this time in Marrakech
Marrakech
Marrakech or Marrakesh , known as the "Ochre city", is the most important former imperial city in Morocco's history...
. In a 4-3-3 formation, Assaidi was given a place in the starting line-up on the right wing. Morocco cruised to a 4-0 win, with Assaidi scoring his first international goal as well. The result meant that Morocco would take the lead in the group, giving them a good chance to qualify for the Africa Cup.
Statistics
| Season | Club | Country | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006/07 | FC Omniworld FC Omniworld Almere City Football Club is a Dutch football club. The club was founded in 2001, and is an expression of the ambitions of the city council of Almere to play an active role in top sports. To that end, a sports club was formed, which now comprises a volleyball branch, a basketball branch and a... |
Eerste Divisie Eerste Divisie The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium... |
7 | 0 | |
| 2007/08 | FC Omniworld FC Omniworld Almere City Football Club is a Dutch football club. The club was founded in 2001, and is an expression of the ambitions of the city council of Almere to play an active role in top sports. To that end, a sports club was formed, which now comprises a volleyball branch, a basketball branch and a... |
Eerste Divisie Eerste Divisie The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium... |
29 | 3 | |
| 2008/09 | De Graafschap De Graafschap De Graafschap is a professional football club from Doetinchem, Netherlands. It was formed on 1 February 1954 and they play their home games at the "De Vijverberg" stadium. Their current home ground stands on where the old pitch used to be located and was opened on 12 August 2000... |
Eredivisie Eredivisie The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA.... |
12 | 3 | |
| 2009/10 | De Graafschap De Graafschap De Graafschap is a professional football club from Doetinchem, Netherlands. It was formed on 1 February 1954 and they play their home games at the "De Vijverberg" stadium. Their current home ground stands on where the old pitch used to be located and was opened on 12 August 2000... |
Eerste Divisie Eerste Divisie The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium... |
5 | 5 | |
| 2009/10 | sc Heerenveen | Eredivisie Eredivisie The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA.... |
20 | 1 | |
| 2010/11 | sc Heerenveen | Eredivisie Eredivisie The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA.... |
31 | 9 | |
| 2011/12 | sc Heerenveen | Eredivisie Eredivisie The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA.... |
12 | 7 | |
| Total | 104 | 26 |
Last update: December 19, 2010