Football Pakistan

How to Improve Football in Pakistan

Football in Pakistan is still a fledgling sport, but it rising among the masses with great speed. Particularly the Youth of Pakistan, who are indulged in the game more than ever. But sadly, given the current condition of the Domestic Facilities we don't stand a chance, in qualifying for Anything. The PFF is almost completely neglecting the Young Footballers of Pakistan. In order to even stand a chance of qualifying, The PFF must focus on Youth Tournaments and Leagues. The Football Clubs of Pakistan generally lack Youth Teams, but i think this should be a necessity if we are to develop Quality Players over the Years. In my opinion, a Youth League should be established and should be run every year. Graham Roberts should take charge of the senior team. And Akhtar Mohiuddin should handle the Youth Teams.

How can Pakistan Qualify for the Fifa World Cup 2022

Pakistan has always had the Football Talent in different corners of the Countries. But the problem is and always has been the lack Of Facilities, Funds etc. Although this year has been a Good Domestic year of Pakistani Football, with the Start of the Club Football League, which had a grand prize of 10 Lakhs. And the continuation of the Geo Super League has further strengthened the caliber of our Footballers but it would not be enough to support our 2022 Qualifying Campaign.

I have several points, which if achieved will really increase our Chances of qualifying.

1. In the 2022 Qualifiers our Current Footballers would be aged, so we should focus on developing the Youth.
This can be achieved by having all Football Clubs establish Under 16 and Under 14 sides. Then the PFF should establish League for the respective age groups.

2. We have a serious lack of proper facilities, Grounds should be given out to the Clubs and they should be held responsible for the upkeep.
Every Community should have their own Football Clubs, and they should be financed by the community themselves.

3. Our Top Flight should have a season of 9 Months, and the PFF should make it Professional by Sponsorships. And they could also make the Top Flight Clubs Public Limited Companies with Shares for sale on the Stock Exchange so that they can go and achieve Economies of Scale.

4. The National Sides should have at least 2 International Tours each year and 2 Domestic Tours. So that the have a Basic Level of Match Fitness.

5. The Government of Pakistan should increase its Budget for the PFF from 15 lakhs to 1 Crore if Pakistan has any chance to Qualify.

6. Another Idea is that a Campaign called "Qualify 2022" should be setup. Evey Pakistani should pay minimum of 2 Rupees, but they can contribute more if they like, and if everyone pays just 2 rupees we will have a total of 32 Crores! Which can enable us to have international level Grounds.

7. The Private Sector should be given Incentives to Invest on the Leagues. Such as Advertisement.

There are many more ideas, even better than this. And they all can be achieved and so can the "2022 Qualify"
Campaign. If only the Government promotes the Game and Seriously takes the idea of Qualifying.

As they say "Impossible is Nothing".

Adnan misses penalty as Mansfield Town lose in Blue Square Premier

Forest Green Rovers 1 - 0 Mansfield Town
Lawless (10') Ahmed missed pen (58')
Attendance: 872 (215 from Mansfield)

(courtesy: Martin Shaw at the New Lawn)

After last week's morale boosting victory over Salisbury, Mansfield fell to a disappointing defeat at the New Lawn this afternoon against a side that had not won since August. Forest Green took the lead with a brilliant strike from Lawless after 10 minutes, giving Gamble no chance. The Stags generally had the better of the first half and Jason Lee headed against the inside of the post but the home side hung on to the lead at the break. In the second half, Forest Green's confidence grew and they created one or two chances without testing Paddy Gamble, but the Stags had a golden chance to equalise when Sinclair was brought down in the box, but Ahmed's well struck penalty was fantastically saved. Then home keeper Terry Burton made an equally incredible save from Stallard's close range effort, and the home side got bodies behind the ball to frustrate the Stags. At the end of the game the Stags were crestfallen as Forest Green celebrated wildly.

On four minutes, Sinclair put Arnold through but his run was poor and when he did get a shot in, it was even worse. Forest Green had a couple of crosses into the box a minute later, the first was headed away well by D’Laryea and the second by Jeannin.

The pattern of the game was set in the opening minutes: the Stags were going to rely on the pace of Sinclair and Arnold whilst Forest Green were going to pump as many high balls into the box as possible.

Then on 10 minutes, completely unexpectedly and out of nothing, Forest Green took a shock lead. A throw in from the right was cleared to Lawless 22 yards from goal who hit a fierce shot giving Gamble no chance as it flew into the right corner of the net.

Adnan Ahmed showed great skill on 12 minutes to get into the box but Arnold wasted it again. There was a nasty moment after 15 minutes when Gamble dropped a routine cross from the right. He was very lucky that no Rovers’ players were on hand to pounce.

Shortly afterwards, Sinclair showed blistering pace in a great run down the right. His cross from the by line was slightly too far for Arnold but Arnold did well to retrieve the ball from behind him and plant a fine cross into the box which Lee headed goal-wards. From our position in the main stand, we couldn’t tell if the keeper got a touch, but the header came back off the inside of the post and away in an amazing escape for the home side. After the game, both managers, who were positioned on the far side of the ground, confirmed that Forest Green keeper, Terry Burton, had pushed the ball on to the post for a fantastic save.

On 25 minutes, Ahmed found Arnold with a fine ball. The little striker cut inside and curled a shot over the bar. There was a rare break for Forest Green on 30 minutes when pedestrian defending from O’Hare and Moses allowed Symons through for a free shot from 20 yards which he scuffed wide of the left post. A minute later, at the other end, Lee flicked on well for Arnold who fired wide with a really poor effort. On 35 minutes, Ahmed made a great turn in the box and curled a shot straight at the keeper. Three minutes later, Arnold volleyed an ambitious effort wide of the right post.

There was another scare for Gamble 3 minutes before the break as he came out of his area and lost the ball but luckily O’Hare was on hand to clear it. Gamble partially redeemed himself 2 minutes before the break when Fowler shot through a crowd of players and the Stags keeper saved with his shins.

Half time 1-0.

The Stags had not played too badly in the first half but Forest Green had looked at a low ebb after a terrible run of form and the Stags were not able to take advantage. Arnold had been poor although he did put in one good cross for Lee to head against the post.

Six minutes into the second half, Somner volleyed well wide for Mansfield. Moments later, Forest Green put together a good move and Fowler shot just wide of Gamble’s post. Then more good play by Forest Green as Low set up Symons who again shot just wide. Straight to the other end and good play this time by Mansfield as Ahmed played in Silk on the right wing but his cross was dreadful and went behind for a goal kick.

More good play by Ahmed as he fed Sinclair in the box. Just as the pacey striker was about to shoot, he was brought down for a clear penalty. No sending off this time and Ahmed stepped up confidently but his well struck penalty was brilliantly saved on to the cross bar and, just for good measure, the ball dropped back down into goalkeeper Burton’s arms. It was a huge disappointment for the Stags and the 215 faithful fans at the far end of the ground.

Shortly afterwards, O’Connor and Stallard replaced Lee and Somner. On 71 minutes, Stallard shot straight at the keeper, after good play by D’Laryea and 2 minutes later, O’Hare headed an Arnold corner over the bar.

On 79 minutes came the moment when you knew it wasn’t going to be our day. Arnold did well on the left to get a low cross into the box to find Stallard who had lost his marker. Stallard’s close range shot was low and hard and was destined for the back of the net but keeper Burton somehow kept it out with an incredible save.

On 83 minutes, in a now rare Forest Green break, Clist shot just wide. Right on 90 minutes, Sinclair showed a good turn of pace in a run down the left but his cross-come-shot was just in front of the advancing O’Connor and just past the right post. It was the last chance of the game which ended with Stags players crestfallen, as home fans in the main stand and the players too celebrated like an FA Cup final win.

In truth this was not a bad performance from Mansfield and without three incredible saves from the home keeper, the Stags could easily have run out deserved 3-1 winners. But credit to the home side who defended determinedly, occasionally broke well, scored one screaming goal and, in the goalkeeper, had the true match winner. The win moves Forest Green Rovers, who are in the final relegation spot, to within a point of the Stags. Worrying times at Field Mill. However if the Stags continue to perform like this, they will soon move up to a mid table position.

Man of the match: Adnan Ahmed

Stop the Stereotyping!': Zesh on Setanta

Being one of the few Asian players to have made it professionally should not be such a big issue, but unfortunately it is. I feel privileged to be in the position I’m in, but it would be nice to be looked at as a footballer only.

I got into the game by just doing kick ups for hours on end each day and by playing with my brother Riz and my mates on the streets of Birmingham. Everywhere was a football pitch! I grew up a stone’s throw from Villa Park and St Andrews but Aston Villa were always my team! I played for a local Sunday league team called Kinghurst before moving to London.

When I was in London I managed to get scouted by Fulham when I was 12 and playing for my local district side Sutton in a cup final. I scored the winning penalty - back in those days I was a striker! From then I worked through the schoolboy, youth and reserve teams and eventually into the first team at Fulham via a brief loan spell at Brighton.

What contributes to the lack of Asian players in the game? I think the fact that there are very few role models out there and the stereotypes that are made, like the players being physically weak, having the wrong diet and being scared of the weather are two of the reasons.

To see more numbers, the generalisations and stereotyping needs to stop and the kids need to be judged on an even playing field.

I think the culture factor has been made an issue by others. The reason my experience was different was because I managed to find a balance that allowed me to be dedicated to my football without neglecting religion.

I also had to make a lot of sacrifices like seeing my mates and going on nights out etc. At the same time, I had the full support of my parents and family.

There is lots of good work being done by various campaigns such as The Asian Football Network, The PFA, Show Racism The Red Card and Kick It Out to name but a few. They are rasing the awareness of the whole issue of why there are only four players of Asian origin at the 92 league clubs.

I think with their continued support the numbers will gradually increase. Encouraging kids to take part in sport clubs might help too as would going into the community and giving away free tickets. After-school clubs should be set up too for them to practice their skills.

Zesh now at Bradford City; Adnan makes Tranmere return

Zesh Rehman again moved clubs as he was loaned out to League Two play-off contenders Bradford City AFC for rest of the season. This new loan comes barely a month after returning to parent team Queens Park Rangers FC from a frustrating loan spell at Blackpool FC where Zesh managed just 4 caps in as many months. Zesh made his debut playing as left-back for the Bantams in a 1-0 loss to Bury FC last night on 27 Jan 2009.

Meanwhile, fellow international Adnan Ahmed returned to League One side Tranmere Rovers last month after finishing an impressive loan term at Blue Square Premier side Mansfield Town FC.

Stars back Chelsea's 'Search for an Asian Star' campaign

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka and British boxer Amir Khan, among other stars, have backed Chelsea's 'Search for an Asian Star' campaign.

Launched last month, the project aims to indentify young talented players from the Asian community. Chelsea will be holding open trials for youngsters from Asian backgrounds during the May Bank Holiday with the most gifted players being offered a three-day residential trial at the club’s world class academy.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has lent his support to the club’s project to find new footballing talent in the Asian community

Anelka, the club’s anti-discrimination ambassador, hopes that it is the first step in attracting more British Asian youngsters to the game.

‘I think it’s important because on the pitch you should see all the countries and colours of the world, it is important to show this and very important to do it,’ he said.

Anelka, a French Muslim, also believes that race or religion should be no barrier to participation in football.

‘Religion is outside of football, you do what you want to do outside the pitch but on the pitch everybody is the same, and we all have the same desire to play football and enjoy the game, so this is the way we have to think because football is a fantastic game,’ he added.

This is the first time a professional club has attempted to address the under representation of Asian players within the game in this way, and Anelka hopes to see an increase in participation at all levels of the game as a result. He struggles to explain why football has been missing out on such a large demographic.

‘Football is famous in Asia and all over the world so I can’t tell why these youngsters are not involved. They try to be involved, and this is the best way to make things happen,’ said the 30-year-old.

British boxer Amir Khan is also the latest sportsperson to give his backing to Chelsea's Search for an Asian Soccer Star initiative. The 22-year-old Bolton Wanderers fan, who will fight for the world light-welterweight title this June, has given his support to the project which is designed to tackle under-representation of Asian footballers throughout the game.

"Sport can have a huge positive effect on young people and that is why I am supporting Search for an Asian Soccer Star. We need to get more Asian kids into all sports and end the negative stereotyping of the Asian community," said Khan.

"The opportunities that the programme offers can be of huge benefit to the young people involved and even though I am a Bolton supporter I am fully behind Chelsea's scheme."

The Search for an Asian Star event will take place on the 2, 3 and 4 May at our Cobham training ground for players in the under 12,13 and 14 age groups and will be open to London and south-east based players from Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi backgrounds.

Participants will be judged on a series of matches and tests specifically designed and used by the Chelsea Academy to demonstrate their speed, skills and ability.

The winners from each age group will be offered an initial three-day trial at our academy and any player meeting the required standards will be offered the chance to join some of the country’s most talented youngsters in the Chelsea youth system.

With hundreds of kids already signed up applications for the Search for an Asian Star are due to close shortly. To apply for the event please visit www.chelseafc.com/asiansoccerstar

Adam Karim guides Canaries FC to Asian Community Cup win at Stamford Bridge

Another tense Asian Community Cup Final unfolded into a seven-goal thriller at our west London home yesterday afternoon.

The match pitted Preston's Canaries against Punjabi United from Wolverhampton, a side who recently brought several players to Chelsea's Asian Soccer Star, with the Canaries sealing a 4-3 win with only minutes left to play.

The match took place at Stamford Bridge under the watchful eyes of Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe, who saw the canaries captained by Adam Karim build a 3-1 lead at half time.

Punjabi United pulled back the two-goal deficit in the second half with some impressive football rallying the side, but the Canaries managed to secure the win with a header in the dying minutes.

'It was good quality football and very emotional, everybody was up for the fantastic event,' said Sutcliffe.

'There was a lot of effort from people behind the scenes as well, we're delighted Chelsea gave the Asian community the opportunity to play here again and it continues the good community work Chelsea have been doing for a long time.'

Asian Community Cup

This was the sixth successive year Stamford Bridge has hosted the Asian Community Cup, which helps motivate clubs with the promise of a final inside our west London home.

Mesba Ahmed from the London Tigers, who organised the event, knows better than anyone the influence Chelsea's inclusion brings: 'The standard of clubs have gone up over recent years, more discipline has come in and you have teams who are preparing a lot earlier for the tournament, everyone is taking it seriously.

'The Asian Community Cup gives a lot of motivation and we don't allow teams to enter unless they have a youth structure, so the system is in place and the whole idea is to strengthen clubs.'

Chief executive officer of the Premier League, Richard Scudamore, was also in attendance at the game: 'It was an excellent game, very competitive and a really decent standard of football.

'All these things are good, but in terms of Chelsea and what they have done for the Asian Community over recent years is fantastic.

'In allowing such finals as this to be held at Stamford Bridge just shows the dedication Chelsea have to the community, it all results in games like this, which was great to watch.'