Joseph Abou Murad
Joseph Abou Murad was a Lebanese professional footballer and manager. He played for Racing Beirut and the Lebanon national team.
Abou Murad was awarded Lebanese Premier League top-scorer with 18 goals during the 1964–65 season. Abou Murad played for the Lebanon national team, and scored the opening goal at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium in 1957 against Romanian club FC Petrolul Ploieşti. He was also the captain of the national team in 1966.
Abou Murad was Racing Beirut's sporting director in 1971. He coached Lebanon during the 1970s, failing to qualify Lebanon to the Asian Cup during their first qualifications.
Club career
Abou Murad started his senior career at Lebanese Premier League club Racing Beirut in 1950, with whom he stayed until his retirement in 1966. Abou Murad helped his side win two league titles, in 1955–56 and 1964–65. In the latter season, Abou Murad was the season top-goalscorer, with 18 goals. This award was both preceded and succeeded by fellow national Levon Altonian. Abou Murad retired from football in 1966.International career
Abou Murad represented Lebanon internationally between 1953 and 1966. He played in a friendly against Hungary, on 23 January 1955, scoring one goal in a 2–3 defeat. Abou Murad also played in another friendly against Hungary, on 29 February 1966, which ended in a 1–4 defeat. In 1957 Abou Murad scored in the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium's opening game against Romanian club FC Petrolul Ploieşti. Abou Murad captained Lebanon at the 1966 Arab Nations Cup, where Lebanon came fourth.Managerial career
On 18 January 1971, the General Assembly of Racing Beirut nominated Abou Murad as sporting director, along with Camille Cordahi. He coached Lebanon from 1971 to 1973 and from 1976 to 1978, failing to qualify Lebanon to the Asian Cup during their first qualifications in 1972.Career statistics
International
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 3 August 1953 | Alexandria, Egypt | – | 1–4 | 1953 Pan Arab Games | |
| 2 | 23 January 1955 | Beirut, Lebanon | – | 2–3 | Friendly | |
| 3 | 22 October 1957 | Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon | – | 6–0 | 1957 Pan Arab Games | |
| 4 | 22 October 1957 | Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon | – | 6–0 | 1957 Pan Arab Games | |
| 5 | 4 September 1961 | Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca, Morocco | – | 7–1 | 1961 Pan Arab Games | |
| 6 | 4 September 1961 | Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca, Morocco | – | 7–1 | 1961 Pan Arab Games | |
| 7 | 4 April 1963 | Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon | 1–0 | 2–3 | 1963 Arab Nations Cup | |
| 8 | 6 April 1963 | Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon | 1–0 | 5–0 | 1963 Arab Nations Cup |
Honours and achievements
Player
Racing Beirut- Lebanese Premier League: 1955–56, 1964–65
- Lebanese Premier League top goalscorer: 1964–65