Hashim Saleh


Hashim Saleh Mohammed Al-Balushi, commonly known as Hashim Saleh, is an Omani footballer who plays for Salalah SC in Oman First Division League.

Club career

Hashim has been wearing the number 9 jersey for clubs like Al-Nasr S.C.S.C. to rivals Dhofar S.C.S.C. In 2008, he returned to Oman and signed for Al-Suwaiq Club but then later returned to Dhofar. During his brief stay at Al-Suwaiq Club, he led them to victory in the Sultan Qaboos Cup final against Al-Nahda Club. After his return to Dhofar, he again lead his club to the final but unfortunately losing to a lower-leveled Saham SC. In 2010 Hashim Saleh renewed his contract with Dhofar, extending his stay with the club for another season and then later played for them till the 2010–11 season. In 2011, he moved to Barka based club Al-Shabab Club and played for two seasons scoring 8 goals. On 27 July 2013, he signed a contract with his former club Dhofar S.C.S.C. On 13 July 2014, he signed a one-year contract with Oman First Division League side Salalah SC.
He has also played for Kuwaiti clubs like Al-Shamal Sports Club, Al-Tadamun SC and Kazma Sporting Club and has also spent a year with Al-Wakrah Sport Club of Qatar.

Club career statistics

International career

Gulf Cup of Nations

Hashim has made appearances in the 2003 Gulf Cup of Nations, the 2004 Gulf Cup of Nations, the 2007 Gulf Cup of Nations and the 2009 Gulf Cup of Nations.
He first showed his talent during the 2003 Gulf Cup of Nations, scoring a goal in a 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates. In the tournament, Oman finished at the fourth place, hence reaching its best ever position in the Gulf Cup of Nations competition, reaching the final four round for the first time, with eight points from two wins and two draws.
In the 2007 Gulf Cup of Nations, he scored a magnificent goal in a 2-1 win over Kuwait. This goal stunned Kuwait and it was regarded by many as "the best goal in the competition". This was the second time when Oman reached to the finals but again they lost to the hosts, the United Arab Emirates. Ismail Matar, the Emirati legend, scored the lone goal of the match as United Arab Emirates won their first ever Gulf Cup of Nations.
Finally in 2009, he helped his team to win their first ever Gulf Cup of Nations trophy.

AFC Asian Cup Qualification

Hashim has made appearances in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification, the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification, the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and the 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification.
He scored two goals in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification, one in a 6-0 win over Nepal and another in a 3-1 win over South Korea hence helping his team to qualify for the 2004 AFC Asian Cup. In the tournament, Oman won four points in a 2-0 win over Thailand and a 2-2 draw against Iran and hence failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.
In the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification, he scored one goal in a 3-0 win over Jordan and again helped his team to qualify for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. Badar Al-Maimani scored one and the only goal of Oman in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup in a 1-1 draw against Australia. In the tournament, Oman won two points in a 1-1 draw against Australia and in a 1-1 draw against Iraq and hence failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.

FIFA World Cup Qualification

Hashim has made four appearances in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification, four in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, five in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification and has represented the national team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.
His only goal for Oman in FIFA World Cup qualification came in the First Round of 2010 FIFA World Cup in a 2-0 win over Nepal.

National team career statistics

Goals for senior national team

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
110 October 2003Muscat, Oman2–12-1Friendly
219 October 2003Muscat, Oman6–06-02004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
321 October 2003Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman3–13-12004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
417 December 2003Muscat, Oman1–01-0Friendly
520 December 2003Muscat, Oman1–03-1Friendly
620 December 2003Muscat, Oman2–13-1Friendly
731 December 2003Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium, Adiliya, Kuwait City, Kuwait2–02-02003 Gulf Cup of Nations
811 October 2005Al Ain City, UAE1–12-2Friendly
911 October 2005Al Ain City, UAE2–22-2Friendly
106 February 2006Doha, Qatar1–01-0Friendly
111 March 2006Royal Oman Police Stadium, Muscat, Oman2–03-02007 AFC Asian Cup qualification
1220 January 2007Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE2–12-12007 Gulf Cup of Nations
1328 October 2008Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal1–02-02010 FIFA World Cup qualification
149 August 2008Takhti Stadium, Tehran, Iran1–11-22008 WAFF Championship
1510 September 2008Muscat, Oman1–13-2Friendly
1617 December 2008Muscat, Oman2–13-1Friendly
1717 December 2008Muscat, Oman3–13-1Friendly