Ahmad Elrich

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Ahmad Elrich bigraphy, stories - Australian soccer player

Ahmad Elrich : biography

30 May 1981 –

Ahmad Elrich (born 30 May 1981 in Sydney) is a former Australian football (soccer) midfielder.

Club career

Ahmad began his professional career at the Parramatta Eagles, his home club. Ahmed was born just West of the club’s home ground.

At the end of his first season with the Eagles he toured Lebanon with a team of Lebanese-Australians. He was offered a contract with Nejmeh SC in Beirut but declined in favour of returning to Australia.

Returning to Australia he signed with new NSL club Parramatta Power in the clubs inaugural squad. Ahmed cemented a first-team spot as a free-flowing winger here, including a memorable 2003-04 season where he was one of the league’s leading assist getters, and played in the Grand Final at just 22. His time at the Parramatta Power was cut short, as the club and NSL met its demise.

He then moved to South Korean side Busan I’cons. After a protracted contract dispute that saw him on the sidelines for five months, Ahmed made his move to the English Premier League.

Fulham FC

Elrich signed a 3-year deal with Fulham FC in the Summer of 2005 from K-League club Busan I’cons. He was loaned out to FC Lyn Oslo from April to May 2006.

After signing for Fulham FC and making his debut against Liverpool FC, in a Premier League match, Elrich’s first team appearances were few and far between, but despite signing a 3-year contract in 2006, his future at Fulham looked in doubt after not being given a squad number for the 2007-08 season and Fulham confirmed Elrich’s departure on 4 September 2007.

Return to Australia

Elrich playing for the Central Coast Mariners Elrich signed a contract with the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League as their marquee player on 21 September 2007. Elrich scored his first goal, in his first home game, for the Wellington Phoenix against Central Coast Mariners on 21 October 2007, which he described as the ‘best goal of his career’. At the end of the 2007-08 season, Ahmad left the Wellington Phoenix to move back to Australia, moving to Central Coast Mariners to link up with several former Parramatta Power teammates. After limited appearances and poor form Ahmad Elrich was released by the Central Coast Mariners at the end of the 2009-2010 A-league season.

National team statistics

Australia national team
Year Apps Goals
2004 10 3
2005 5 1
2006 2 1
Total 17 5

International career

He represented Australia at the 2004 Summer Olympics. His inactivity for Fulham FC was seen as the key factor in him not being selected for the Australian World Cup squad.

On 6 September 2006, Elrich suffered a serious knee injury whilst playing for Australia in an Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait.

Honours

With Australia:

  • OFC Nations Cup: 2004

Personal Honours

  • Joe Marston Medal: 2003-2004 with Parramatta Power

Biography

He is of Lebanese descent and is the older brother of Western Sydney Wanderers player Tarek Elrich.

International goals

Results list Australia’s goal tally first.
Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
2 June 2004 AUS}} Adelaide FIJ}} 1 goal 6-1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
9 October 2004 SOL}} Honiara SOL}} 1 goal 5-1 2004 OFC Nations Cup
12 October 2004 AUS}} Sydney SOL}} 1 goal 6-0 2004 OFC Nations Cup
26 March 2005 AUS}} Sydney IRQ}} 1 goal 2-1 Friendly match
22 February 2006 BHR}} Manama BHR}} 1 goal 3-1 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Gun offences and drug charge

Elrich was charged with possessing two loaded pistols and a quantity of the Cialis drug in May 2011.