Asia Debate: Is It Now Time To Call Patrick Vieira 'The European Mohammed Noor'?

It is hard to say whether it is fitting or not that Mohammed Noor is only now starting to receive recognition around the world for his talents.

The midfielder may not be about to retire, but at 31, his best years are probably behind him. Maybe not though.

It is perhaps no longer correct to call the Al Ittihad star, Saudi Arabia’s Patrick Vieira - his nickname for the past few years. Maybe we shouldn’t even call him Asia’s Patrick Vieira. Maybe it is time to call the Frenchman Europe’s Mohammed Noor.

I named Noor in my list of Asia’s ten most under-rated players earlier this year for the obvious fact that I felt he hadn’t had the recognition that he deserved. A number of Saudi fans wrote to disagree. It wasn’t a surprise as Noor has long divided opinion in his homeland. A player, his detractors say, that has the talent but not the attitude, especially when it comes to the national team.

Noor In Action For Saudi Arabia 

Despite over 70 appearances for the Green Falcons, his critics claim he saves his best performances for his club and with a tendency to speak his mind; he hasn’t always endeared himself to the succession of Saudi coaches that come and go. He should have played more.

2009 has been a mixed year for Noor. He is now rated as one of the best players in Asia but was part of the Saudi Arabian team that failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. It is highly unlikely that he will ever appear on the global stage again.

The next best thing would have been an appearance at the club equivalent - FIFA’s Club World Cup. Battling with the likes of Barcelona in Abu Dhabi in December would have been some consolation for being absent from the South African extravaganza.

That is not going to happen now as Al Ittihad lost 2-1 against Pohang Steelers in the final of the Asian Champions League in Tokyo on Saturday night. Noor played a big part in the Tigers’ march to Japan with a hat-trick against Nagoya Grampus in the first leg of the semi-final grabbing the headlines.

Nagoya boss Dragan Stojkovic certainly underestimated the star.

“I think Mohammed Noor was the star of this match,” Pixy admitted. “Before we started the match and as part of my plan, I told my players to watch Manaf Aboshgair and Hicham Aboucherouane for Al Ittihad but Mohammed Noor surprised me with his performance,that was unexpected.”

It shouldn’t have been really. Noor starred in the 2004 and 2005 Asian Champions League final. His performance in the 2009 final was just as impressive.

In Action At The 2006 World Cup 

Once again Noor was the driving force for the West Asians, causing all kinds of problems for Shin Hyung-min. Shin had few problems looking after Rivaldo in the quarter-finals as Pohang eliminated Bunyodkor but he found the mobile and intelligent Noor a much more difficult opponent.

Noor also scored the goal that pulled the Saudi Arabians back into the match in Tokyo. The comeback never materialized. It was a shame for the player.

As he has grown older, he has taken more responsibility in the middle of the park. He has also become more consistent. At the wrong side of 30, he has lost some of his pace and perhaps can’t maintain the same intensity. But the vision and the movement are still there and as he has demonstrated time and time again in Asia and at home, he still can change a game in the blink of an eye.

That almost happened on Saturday but Ittihad couldn’t find the necessary goal when it mattered, When Noor received the runners-up medal on the podium at the National Stadium, he immediately removed it.

It was an understandable gesture but perhaps he should have kept it on. He deserves something for his efforts in this tournament.

John Duerden

Asia Editor

john.duerden@goal.com