Zafar Iqbal (footballer)
 Iqbal with Pakistan at the 1986 Fajr International Tournament | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Zafar Iqbal Baloch | ||
| Date of birth | 3 February 1965 | ||
| Place of birth | Karachi, Pakistan | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Pakistan Airlines | |||
| 1992–1993 | → Wohaib (loan) | ||
| International career | |||
| 1986–1995 | Pakistan | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 2015–2019 | Pakistan Airlines | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Zafar Iqbal Baloch (born 3 February 1965) is a Pakistani former footballer who played as a defender. He played for Pakistan Airlines throughout his career, managing the team in the 2010s. Iqbal captained the Pakistan national team in the 1987 South Asian Games and the 1993 SAARC Gold Cup, helping the national side achieve the bronze medal in 1987.[1][2] He also won gold twice with Pakistan at the 1989 and 1991 South Asian Games.
Club career
[edit]Iqbal played for Pakistan Airlines throughout his career at the National Football Championship. He was also borrowed by Wohaib FC to take part in the 1992–93 Asian Club Championship.[1]
International career
[edit]Iqbal made his international debut with Pakistan at the 1986 Fajr International Tournament in Tehran. He started against Poland under-21 team losing by 0–3, and played against Iran where he got a red card at the 43rd minute in the eventual 0–1 defeat.[3] Iqbal captained the national team at the 1987 South Asian Games in India, helping the team achieve the bronze medal.[1][4]
In 1989, he was regular starter at the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification in the country's first participation in the tournament, featuring in all the four games.[5] He also featured in the 1990 Asian Games.[6] He also won gold twice with Pakistan at the 1989 and 1991 South Asian Games. He captained the national team at the 1993 SAARC Gold Cup.[7][2][8][9] He also featured in Pakistan's second participation at the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification in 1993, playing in all eight matches where Pakistan again ended up unsuccessful.[10] He made more than 20 appearances for the national team throughout his career.[11]
Coaching career
[edit]After his retirement as player, Iqbal served as manager and coach of the Pakistan Airlines football team.[12][13][14] He replaced former PIA coach Shamim Khan in 2015.[15]
Career Statistics
[edit]International goals
[edit]- Note: Exact figures of Pakistani players before 1989 are not yet known and yet to be researched. Below are goals recorded.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 March 1995 | Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka |  Bangladesh
|
1–0 | 1–0 | 1995 South Asian Gold Cup | [16] |
Honours
[edit]Pakistan
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Ahsan, Ali (2010-12-23). "A history of football in Pakistan — Part III". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ a b "SPORTS WORLD: End to gloomy era of Pakistan football in sight". Brecorder. 2006-11-18. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "1986 Fajr International Tournament". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "PFF chief's efforts for Asian Games football hailed". Brecorder. 2010-09-05. Archived from the original on 2024-09-24. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
- ^ "International Matches 1989 - Asia". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "International Matches 1990 - Asia". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "PFF president praised for giving boost to football". Brecorder. 2007-09-21. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "AFC coaches' seminar concludes". DAWN.COM. 2008-07-03. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Ex-skippers hail football team". The Nation. 2009-12-09. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ "International Matches 1993 - Asia". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Zafar Iqbal (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ natasha.raheel (2016-10-21). "All-Pakistan Football Challenge Cup: PIA upset PAF 2-0 to claim title". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ natasha.raheel (2016-02-06). "PIA's football club may shut down due to crisis". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Local coaches attend AFC course". DAWN.COM. 2006-09-23. Archived from the original on 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Dividend for K-Electric, at last | Sports | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Archived from the original on 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Pakistan vs. Bangladesh". www.national-football-teams.com. Archived from the original on 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
External links
[edit]- Zafar Iqbal at National-Football-Teams.com
- Pakistani men's footballers
- Men's association football defenders
- Pakistan men's international footballers
- 1965 births
- South Asian Games medalists in football
- South Asian Games gold medalists for Pakistan
- PIA F.C. players
- Wohaib FC players
- Living people
- Footballers from Karachi
- Footballers at the 1986 Asian Games
- Footballers at the 1990 Asian Games
- Asian Games competitors for Pakistan