October 30 : Lahore ‘s Garhi Shahue United Football Academy (GSUFA) will leave for Iran tomorrow, Tuesday to play three football match series against Pardis Football Academy of Iran slated to run from 5 November 2007.
According to Pardis FA’s Chief Executive M.H.Fakharri, Yadegare Emam Stadium in Ghom City will host all the matches on 5, 7 and 9 November and the spectators around the stadium are eagerly-awaited for the series as the crowds here in Iran always give big hand to the visitors from Pakistan. All the matches will be kick-off at 3 PM.
GSUFA’s Chief Executive Sheikh Mohammad Siddique Qadri had approved striker Muhammad Mujahid Ali Khan as skipper while Awais Khan will act as Vice Captain. The team is strengthened by the inclusion of Hassan Saleem Khan, Zain ul Islam and Muhammad Naveed who put up fine display in AFC U13 Festival of Football last April at Dhaka, Bangladesh . Other players are Ghulam Fareed Awan, Aleemul Haq, Muhammad Munib, Muhammad Waqas, Zubair Qaiser, Fahid Niaz, Subhan Naveed and Muhammad Ali.
According to team’s Media Coordinator Salim Khan, a battery of international footballers will look after the squad. Former National skipper Mukhtar Ali will act as manager while former international striker Zahid Niaz will perform duty as coach. GSUFA has appointed SAF Games 1989 gold medalist Ejaz Ali as goal-keeper coach.
According to an agreement signed by both Academies, the first leg will be arranged by Pardis while GSUFA will borne out the responsibilities of second leg. The persons behind the Football Academies Home and Away Series are two former international footballers Majid Jalali ( Iran) and Siddiq Qadri (Pakistan ).