The 37 incumbents of Pakistan U-14 football players are starting their training camp in Jinnah Sports Complex, Islamabad from 22^nd February 2012 for AFC U-14 Football Festival to be held at Jinnah Sports Stadium in Islamabad from 3^rd to 17^th April 2012.

According to the press release issued here by Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), the probables of the training camp is:

AID 27 Karachi Zone B: Shoaib, Usma, Adnan Ashraf, Faisal Hussain, Safir,

AID 27 Karachi Zone A: Junaid Ahmed,

Sindh: Nasir, Salman, Zain-ul-A biden, Saeed Babar, Munir, Shahzeb, Junaid Javed, Karam Hussain,

AID 27 Quetta Zone: Hafeez, Shakeel Ahmed, Majeed Khan, Faraiz,

AID 27 Faislabad/Sargodha Zone: Shahbaz, Ishtiaq Mushtaq, Shoaib Nisar, Shanoo,

Islamabad FA: Luqman, Shehryar Malik, Hussain Mehmood,

AID 27 Lahore Zone: Rashid Khan, Abdul Qadir Khan, Zohaib,

AID 27 Peshawar Zone: Owais,

AID 27 Chaman Zone: Wali Khan,

Gilgit: Waqar,

KPK: Danish,

Punjab: Ali Raza, Yamin, Muhammad Yasin, Farrukh, Usman.

The officials of training camp are Hassan Baloch (Coach), Najeeb Ullah Najmi (Assistant Coach), Zahid Taj (Goalkeeper Coach) and Dr. Kamran Mehdi (Physio).

The 2012 All-Karachi Engro Vopak Football League 2012 saw Salaar Welfare Centre (Malir) trounce Sindh Muslim (Gizri) 4-0 at Jam Stadium in Malir (Karachi) yesterday, 20 Feb 2012. The win helped Salaar WC rise to 8 points from 4 games, while Sindh Muslim remain on 2 points from as many games in Group A.

Sindh Muslim gave tremendous fight in 1st half against Salaar WC but they failed to avail their chances as Salaar goalkeeper Adeel Rasheed denied Shaukat Ali, M Nauman, Hameed Jr., and Zain Baloch from scored. Salaar WC struck back strongly as left winger Amin Chottu came close to scoring in 29th minute, only for Sindh Muslim goalkeeper Abdul Hameed to deny him. However, Salar Welfare Centre took the lead before half-time when Amin Chottu made it 1-0 from a Shiraz Qadir pass in 36th minute.

The 2nd half saw Salar Welfare Centre completely dominate the game as Sindh Muslim became completely overwhelmed. Muhammad Asif made it 2-0 from a Wasim Akhtar pass in 63rd minute, followed by Siddique Rehman scoring from a Amin Chottu pass in 83rd minute to make it 3-0. Amin Chottu then wrapped up the game with his second goal of the game when he made it 4-0 in 88th minute for Salar WC.

Salaar goalie Adeel Rasheed's performance to deny Sindh Muslim from scoring won him the Man of the Match Rs 500 cash award from Engro Vopak League organising secretary Riaz Ahmed. Referees were Anser Haved, Babar Khan, M Umar, and match commissioner Abdul Karim.

On Thursday, 23 Feb 2012, Janbaz Sports (Sultanabad) face Dilbod Mohammadan (Malir) in the next 2012 Engro Vopak League encounter.

Jam Stadium (Malir, Karachi) saw the results of two important games of the 2012 Engro Vopak Football League yesterday, 19 Feb 2012. Azam Sports (Drigh Road, DFA East) beat home side Baloch Club Malir 3-1 in Group B, while Young Tughlaq (Lyari) edged past league hosts FC Rovers (Malir Cantt) 2-1 in Group A to earn three precious points.

All four sides completed 3 games each, with Azam Sports and Young Tughlaq on 4 and 6 points respectively, while Baloch Club and Rovers are on 4 and 3 points respectively.

Azam Sports put Baloch FC Malir to the sword as they dominated the opening exchanges through Saleem Ullah, Naveed Ullah, Kamran Boota, and Aqeel Khan. Kamran Boota opened the scoring from a Saleem Ullah pass in 14th minute, before Saleem Ullah made it 2-0 from a Aqeel Khan pass in 37th minute as Azam Sports led 2-0 at half-time.

Saleem Ullah then beat three players to make it 3-0 in 61st minute with his second goal of the game. Baloch FC managed to respond with a goal from Anees Akhtar just 2 minutes later, making it 3-1, but it proved to be too little too late in the end. Baloch FC also lost Fida Hussain for next game due to a second yellow card offence during the match. Saleem Ullah earned the Man of the Match award from Young Tughlaq chairman M Usman Baloch.

After a goal-less first half clash between Young Tughlaq and FC Rovers, the match exploded into life in 2nd period as Abdul Zaheer made 1-0 in 73rd minute, only for Rovers star Irfan Junejo to equalise in 86th minute. The match seemed destined for a 1-1 draw in the end, but Young Tughlaq's Muhammad Adil pounced on a Rovers' defensive blunder to score right at the death (90+1'). The goal gave Young Tughlaq a late 2-1 win. FC Rovers' right-winger Arieb Zaidi earned MOTM award from senior national referee Javed Bangash after the game.

Referees were Habib Ullah, Abdul Malik, Babar Khan, Arif Hameed, and match commissioner Abdul Karim. On Tuesday, 21 Feb 2012, Baloch Mohammadan (Malir) face Burma Mohammadan (Korangi) at 4 PM.

AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Referrees Committee has selected and approved Mr. Khurram Shahzad as Elite Referees, Mr. Waheed Murad and Mr. Muhammad Shafat Habib as Elite Assistant Referee and Rana Naseer Ahmed as Elite Fourth Official of the final list of AFC Elite Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials for 2012.

According to the press release issued here by Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), it is the first time in the history of Pakistan in the game of football that the full panel of Pakistan referees has been selected by AFC for their inclusion in the AFC Elite Referring Panel-2012. This will open a new vista in the game of highest standard in Pakistan.

Being the Elite Panel is an enormous responsibility, requiring peak condition at all times to meet the highest standards for officiating at the international level, the elite referee should be well prepared both mentally and physically to meet the requirement of AFC and FIFA.

The objective behind creating the panel is to allow the elite referees more opportunities to referee and ensure better quality of refereeing in all AFC men’s competitions. The referees themselves should have officiated in their country’s top men’s league or competitions or in at least the women’s state league and must have cleared the AFC fitness test in addition to having a good command of written and spoken English.

It is an accepted fact that in spite of having a lot of potential Pakistan have failed to progress in the field of football. The low standing of Pakistan in the football world can be attributed to defective planning, flaws in the domestic league structure, a lack of vision, improper training programmes and dearth of resources.

According to the new rankings issued by the world football governing body (FIFA) last week, Pakistan have slumped further and now they are ranked 181st, three places lower than the war-ravaged Afghanistan who now stand at 178th following their brilliant performance in the SAFF Cup in New Delhi where they reached the final against India.

Last year, Pakistan suffered badly in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers, Olympic Qualifiers, World Cup Qualifiers and then in the SAFF Cup. But no one bothered about the reasons of these failures. When a top official of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said in a statement during the FIFA World Cup in South Africa last year that Pakistan would qualify for the 2022 World Cup, experts treated it as a ridiculous claim.

The critics were right as the country will need progress in the field by leaps and bounds if the nation wants to achieve the milestone of qualifying for the World Cup. It will be like a dream come true if Pakistan plays the World Cup. But we may not be alive to see this.

After the turmoil experienced by Pakistan in major international events, PFF finally signed on November 5 last year a Serbian coach — Zavisa Milosavljevic — for two years. He has been given the responsibility of working on not only the senior team, but also the youth and coaches of the country.

Zavisa acted as Pakistan coach when the team failed to progress beyond the league stage in the SAFF Cup after all their three group games against the Maldives, Nepal and Bangladesh ended in draw.

But the Serbian should not be blamed for the poor performance of Pakistan as he was assigned the task barely twenty days before that tournament. He remains optimistic that if he stays for a few years and his demands about training are met by the authorities he will turn the national team into a fighting unit. Zavisa is also impressed by the Pakistan colts and has stressed working properly on them to make them fully prepared for national duty.

‘The News on Sunday’ recently talked to him in detail about future plans for Pakistan football. Here are a few excerpts.

TNS: What do you think about the talent base in Pakistan?

Zavisa: Definitely, Pakistani nation has great potential. I saw a lot of talented young players.

TNS: If there is talent, how can it be improved and polished to make the future of football in Pakistan stronger?

Zavisa: All teams in the Premier League must have youth categories as a condition to participate in the league. It’s known that creating a top level national team requires a period of at least eight to ten years. In that building period players must pass throughout five developmental phases: period of learning, game, and mini-competition (8-14 years), period of learning, pre-training and competition (14-16 years), period of training and competition (16-18 years), period of super training and competition (18 years and more); and period of super training and super competition (senior national team).

TNS: Last year, Pakistan under-16 team won the SAFF Cup in Nepal by beating India in the final. What should the PFF do now with that team to turn it into a fighting lot for future?

Zavisa: If they meet the requirements I have mentioned, I must say that the young guns could be prepared properly.

TNS: You have signed as a coach for two years. Are you optimistic that you will be able to get desired results?

Zavisa: Making a competitive senior team needs coaching stint for at least two to four years. During the period, programme of training must be fully followed. The newly proposed programme requires good strategy and plan: Target: What is our final aim? Analysis: Where are we now? Vision: Where do we want to be? Action: How do we get there? Control: Are we getting that?

TNS: Pakistan will feature in the Asian Cup Under-22 Qualifiers. What is your plan for that and what chances do you see for the team?

Zavisa: We have made a comprehensive training plan and our target will be to qualify for the final round to be held in 2013.

TNS: What do you think about the league structure in Pakistan and how can it be improved?

Zavisa: It is absolutely necessary to professionalise the league structure.

TNS: Should Pakistan establish a football academy? If yes, then on what basis should it be operated?

Zavisa: Of course, there should be an academy and the model should be that of the Netherlands, Serbia, Spain and Japan.

TNS: Are you confident that Pakistan senior team will be able to perform in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers next year?

Zavisa: Definitely, if we are going to play with a full team, also including foreign-based players.

TNS: Are pitches in Pakistan okay?

Zavisa: No, they need improvement.

TNS: Also tell us about your personal life and football career for Serbia?

Zavisa: I did not play for the national team of Serbia. Since 1986 I have been working as a professional coach. Before opting for the job in Pakistan, I served Serbia, Monte Negro, Rwanda, and Lesotho in the same capacity.

TNS: What do you think about coaching job in Pakistan? Is it not challenging?

Zavisa: A great professional challenge for me. I hope to make it a success.

TNS: Are you enjoying your life in Lahore?

Zavisa: In the beautiful and great country with hospitable and friendly people, I enjoy myself a lot.

TNS: What type of Pakistani food do you like?

Zavisa: Roti, kabab and paya.

TNS: How many foreign-based players are needed by Pakistan?

Zavisa: All players who are willing to sacrifice for Pakistan.

TNS: Any security concerns in Pakistan?

Zavisa: Pakistan is my home.

73.alam@gmail.com

KARACHI: Pakistan football’s Serbian coach Zavisa Milosavljevic has rued the lost opportunity after the cancellation of international friendlies scheduled for February 29 and March 4.

The matches were called off after the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) failed to convince any team for the two-match series and even turned down Uzbekistan’s offer of playing in Dubai, blaming lack of finances for the trip.

However, Milosavljevic believed that Pakistan badly needed international exposure and must play high-class opposition if his plans for the side are to be implemented.

“Since no country is available to play with Pakistan, I’m thinking about asking the Serbian team to play the friendly matches,” Milosavljevic told The Express Tribune. “I can only do my job if the team plays international matches because the domestic structure in Pakistan is so poor that I can’t rely on it to implement my plans for the side.

“I need to see these players in international matches in order to gauge their progress. I’m extremely concerned about the lack of international exposure before the Asian Football Confederation under-22 Cup Qualifiers in June and July.”

Milosavljevic, though, admitted that the idea of playing Serbia was far from being implemented at such a short notice but he was doing his best to convince the PFF on working on his suggestion. The coach felt that Pakistan would learn a lot from the experience of playing a strong opposition like Serbia as the country had a very vibrant football culture.

‘Even seniors needs to improve technique’

Meanwhile, a 10-day camp for the senior team will kick off in Lahore on February 20, in which 26 footballers will take part.

The camp was originally scheduled to prepare the team for the international friendlies but despite their cancellation Milosavljevic wanted all players to attend it.

“Even senior players in the national team need to improve their technique, so I’m going ahead with the camp. The PFF has told me that it’s still trying to cut a deal with different countries for the friendly series and I want the players to be in shape in case it does take place.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2012.

Jam XI (Malir) utilised its home ground advantage to ease past Mauripur Azad 3-0 yesterday, 18 Feb 2012, to lead Group B in the 2012 All-Karachi Engro Vopak Football League being played at Jam Stadium in Malir, Karachi.

A brace from striker Liaquat Ali and a gola from Arif Hameed helped Jam XI overcome a struggling Mauripur Azad side that faced their third successive defeat in the league. The win helped Jam XI reach 10 points from 4 games while Mauripur Azad remained on 0 from 3 games.

Mauripur Azad started the game brightly as Shahid Gaji (2'), Amjad Ali and Rasheed (15') came close to opening the scoring. But Jam XI took the 1-0 lead when Liaquat Ali scored from a Amir Hassan pass in 27th minute. Just two minutes later, Mauripur Azad almost responded with a goal but Jam XI goalkeeper Arshad Nabi kept out Asad Rasheed's effort. Jam XI almost went 2-0 up in 39th minute but Arif Hameed and Qasim failed to beat Mauripur Azad custodian Abdul Hameed after combining well. Jam XI remained 1-0 ahead at half time.

In 2nd half, Jam XI tightened their grip on the game as they scored twice more to win 3-0 at the end. Jam XI won a penalty in 56th minute after Ghulam Sarwar fouled Amir Hassan in the box, allowing Liaquat Ali to step up and make it 2-0 with his second goal of the game. Just 3 minutes later, Arif Hameed scored from a Abdul Majeed pass to make it 3-0 for Jam XI. Mauripur Azad attempted to reduce the deficit in remaining minutes but Jam XI's defence and goalkeeper denied them every time and maintained their 3-0 lead.

Jam XI captain Faisal Umar was named Man of the Match by a jury comprising of Fateh Muhammad Baloch, Shahid Taj and Ubaidullah Khan, as DFRA West chairman Chaudhry Sarfraz presented Faisal Umar with the Rs 500 cash prize. Referees were Anser Javed, Babar Khan, Imran Hussain, and match commissioner Abdul Karim.

On Monday, 20 Feb 2012, Salar Welfare Centre (Malir) face Sindh Muslim (Gizri).

Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, President Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) met Mr. Jospeh S. Blatter, President Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). In a meeting Mr. Jospeh S. Blatter, President has directed the concern department of FIFA to expedite and start the process for the construction of FIFA Five Goal Project in March, 2012

According to the press release issued here by Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, President (PFF) expressed his gratitude to Mr. Blatter for his commitment to expedite the process for the construction of five sanctioned FIFA Goal Projects for the flood affected people of Pakistan which has alleviated their sufferings and brought back cheers on their faces.

Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, President PFF has expressed his appreciation for the commitment being shown by FIFA President Mr. Jospeh S. Blatter for five FIFA Goal Project sanctioned by FIFA for the flood affected areas of Pakistan. President PFF said that these projects shall greatly help and enhance the standard of football in these areas which have gone through this calamity.

Mr. Blatter assured President PFF of his complete support in expediting the construction work on five FIFA Goal Projects and appreciated whole hearted efforts of Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat for the promotion of football in Pakistan. Mr. Blatter further said that in line with its emphasis on PFF Youth Development Program he hoped that Pakistan football team will soon become one of the best Asian team.

The 2012 All-Karachi Engro Vopak Football League saw a major upset at Jam Stadium, Malir (Karachi) yesterday, 18 Feb 2012, when Dilbod Mohammadan (Malir) stunned a strong Burma Mohammadan (Korangi) side 2-0. This was Dilbod Mohammadan's 2nd win of the campaign as they went to 7 points from 4 matches, while Burma Mohammadan now are on 6 points from 3 games.

Burma Mohammadan started brightly in the game as they pressed for a goal but their strikers M Imran, M Idris, Pervez Akhtar, and M Jaffar failed to beat the superb Dilbod goalkeeper M Hashim. But Dilbod Mohammadan went 1-0 up after 9 minutes when Qaim Ali scored from a corner. Dilbod then almost went 2-0 ahead on two occasions but Adil Munir and Sunny Abdul Ghani failed to beat Burma Mohammadan goalkeeper Abdul Ghani in 26th and 29th minutes respectively.

In 2nd half, Burma Mohammadan tried hard to equalise but M Imran and Noor Alam (56') and M Jaffar and Abdur Rahim (71') failed to score after combining well. Eventually, Dilbod Mohammadan delivered a decisive blow as Waleed Baloch scored from a Adil Munir cross to make it 2-0  in 83rd minute. The win was a surprise for many spectators as Dilbod Mohammadan ran away with 3 deserving points and ending Burma Mohammadan's unbeaten run in the Engro Vopak League.

Burma Mohammadan will be unable to play 3 of its players - Anees Ahmed, M Ishaq, M Rashid - in next game because of yellow card  suspensions during the match. Dilbod's captain Abdul Sattar was in inspirational form as he helped his side cause the upset, and was given Man of the Match award by Dilbod Mohammadan secretary Sharif Lashari after the game. Referees were Javed Bangash, Babar Khan, M Umar, 4th official Arif Hameed, and match commissioner Abdul Karim.

On Sunday, 19 Feb 2012, Azam Sports face Baloch FC Malir at 2 PM while FC Rovers face Young Tughlaq at 4 PM.

The 2012 All-Karachi Engro Vopak Football League at Jam Stadium, Malir (Karachi) saw Baloch Mohammadan (Malir) record their second successive group stage win yesterday 16 Feb 2012 with a 3-1 score over Janbaz Sports (Sultanabad).

The match began with a frantic pace as both sides attempted to score, yet the surprisingly it remained 0-0 at half-time because of poor finishing. Janbaz Sports' Rahim Dar, Umar Farooq, Jahangir Khan, and Muhammad Shakir failed to beat Baloch Mohammadan goalkeeper Abdul Latif. Baloch Mohammadan's Karim Bakhsh failed to score from a golden opportunity in 12th minute as Janbaz goalkeeper Rafi Ullah remained unbeaten so far.

In 2nd half, Baloch Mohammadan's substitutions changed the course of the game as Roshan Ali and M Imran replaced Ali Ghumani and Nasim Akhtar. Amir Oghni scored from a Roshan Ali pass in 51st minute to give Baloch Mohammadan a 1-0 lead. Then M Imran made it 2-0 from a M Awais pass in 77th minute. Roshan Ali then got himself on the scoresheet when he made it 3-0 in 88th minute from a pass by the impressive Ahmed Lal. Janbaz Sports managed to respond with a goal from Umar Farooq the next minute from a Jahangir Khan pass but it proved to be too little too late as Baloch Mohammadan deservingly won 3-1 at the end. Baloch Mohammadan's Ahmed Lal was given Rs 500 Man of the Match award .

The win left Baloch Mohammadan with 6 points from 2 games, while Janbaz Sports remain on 0 from 4 games played. Referees were Javed Bangash, Babar Khan, M Umar, 4th official Arif Hameed, and match commissioner Abdul Karim. On Saturday 18 Feb 2012, Jam XI (Malir) face Mauripur Azad.