Omid Popalzay


Omid Popalzay is an Afghan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Championship club Persiraja Banda Aceh and the Afghanistan national team.

Youth

Before joining Achilles '29 in 2015 Omid Popalzay played in the youth of SV Estria and N.E.C./FC Oss.

Career

Achilles '29

He signed in July 2015 his first professional contract for Achilles '29. He was signed to play for the second team of Achilles '29 but was given a change for the first team after he impressed. On 11 September 2015 he made his debut for Achilles '29 against Sparta Rotterdam. He scored his first goal in a 2–1 win against FC Den Bosch. One week after the win against FC Den Bosch he scored another goal and made an assist against Jong PSV with the result being a 3–2 win for Achilles '29.

Australia and Belgium

In the beginning of 2019, Popalzay moved abroad to Australia and joined Adelaide Comets. In May 2019, he left the club to join Belgian club Sint-Eloois-Winkel.

Olimpia Grudziądz

On 11 August 2020, Popalzay signed a contract with Polish club Olimpia Grudziądz.

Chittagong Abahani

On 22 November 2021, Popalzay joined Bangladesh Premier League club Chittagong Abahani.

Ariana

After a failed move to Kelantan, Popalzay signed a deal with Swedish Ettan Fotboll club Ariana at the end of March 2023.

Nejmeh

On 11 June 2023, Popalzay joined Lebanese Premier League club Nejmeh and won the title in the 2023–24 Lebanese Premier League

PSPS Pekanbaru

Popalzay joined PSPS Pekanbaru for the 2024-2025 season.

PSIM Yogyakarta

Popalzay then joined PSIM Yogyakarta on 11 December 2024. Eight days later, he made his league debut for PSIM Yogyakarta in a 1–2 home lose against Bhayangkara. He had a good season in this season with 10 appearances and one goal, and won the 2024–25 Liga 2 title.

International career

Omid Popalzay made his debut for the Afghanistan national team in their World Cup Qualification match against Singapore on 8 October 2015. They lost the match 1–0. After this match, he also played for the national team against Syria and Cambodia.

Personal life

Popalzay holds both Dutch and Afghan passports.

Career statistics

Club

Statistics accurate as of last match played on 9 November 2016.
1 Includes UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches.
2 Includes Johan Cruijff Shield matches.

International

NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.28 December 2015Trivandrum International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, India2–14–12015 SAFF Championship
2.28 December 2015Trivandrum International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, India4–14–12015 SAFF Championship
3.6 June 2017Al-Rashid Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates2–12–1Friendly
4.11 June 2021Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar1–11–22022 FIFA World Cup qualification
5.16 November 2021Gloria Sports Complex, Antalya, Turkey1–01–0Friendly
6.12 September 2023Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines1–01–2Friendly
7.25 March 2025Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar1–01–22027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Honours

Nejmeh
PSIM Yogyakarta