Portal:Bahrain/Selected biography/1

A'ala Hubail (علاء حبيل) (born 25 June 1982) is a Bahraini footballer who plays as a striker for Bahrain and Al-Ahli. In 2004, he was the top scoring player (five goals, tied with Ali Karimi) in the Asian Cup. He was the 8th best player in 2004.

At 22 years old, A'ala Hubail emerged as one of Asia's foremost attacking footballers at the Asian Cup 2004 and 2010 _ 2011 corer with five goals, Hubail attracted attention with a pair of goals against Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals, followed up by another double against Japan in the semi-finals. Known as a hard-working player, Hubail was also active in defence, winning the ball and clearing one shot at goal off the line in extra-time against Uzbekistan.

Playing for Al-Gharafa, Hubail was a leading candidate for top scorer of the Qatari League in the 2005-2006 season. Approaching the mid-league stage Hubail was several goals ahead. However a very serious anterior cruciate knee injury that required two operations put him out of action for the rest of the season and the start of the following one. Despite his absence during the second half of the season, Hubail finished 4th highest scorer.

Following surgery, Hubail returned to form and played a very supportive role in the Bahraini National Team and at Al-Gharafa. On June 5, 2007 A'ala Hubail was transferred to the Kuwaiti league champions Kuwait SC. His one-year contract was relatively well paid for an Arab player. Hubail was joined by former Riffa defender Abdulla Al Marzooqi. Hubail, who was given the number 30 shirt, and Marzooqi (33) joined two other Bahrainis already playing for Kuwait SC, the national team captain Talal Yousef and Hussain Ali Baba.

In May 2008, A'ala Hubail was transferred to Umm-Salal, Qatar, who offered the Bahraini player a considerable amount of money and better playing facilities. In June 2009, he returned to Al-Ahli in Bahraini Premier League, scoring in the Bahraini King's Cup 2009 quarter-finals match against Busaiteen Club the same month.