Lahore, 19 Jan : Spain-based goal keeper Naiman Khan reported to coach Tariq Lutfi in selection-trial-cum-coaching camp which is in full swing at the famous Model Town Football Academy, located at Model Town C & D Block, Lahore. Naiman used to guard the cage of Agrupacion Deportiva Pablo Iglesias (ADPI) Rivas, Madrid ( Spain). The upcoming keeper met the age restriction of the coming show that allowed only players born on or after 1 January 1989. The date of birth of Karachi-born Naiman Khan is 12 December 1991.
“The inculsion of Naiman enhanced the GK strength to nine with Amir Gul (NBP), second choice keeper after Jaffar Khan in 16th Asian Games last year, and Saqib Hanif (PEL) were called on the recommendation of GK Coach Aslam Khan while in order to make sure checking off all talented age-group GK around the country I have also permitted Basit Ghafoor (WAPDA) and Ghulam Raza (Quetta) to show their status in the Camp. Muzammil Hussain (WAPDA), Muhammad Omer (KESC), Bilal Rafiq (PIA), Tanveer Mumtaz ( YDC Faisalabad) complete the number.
Lutfi, only player in Pakistan soccer history to win all three League matches in SAFF Championship eight years ago, added that 44 players reported in the National Camp that commenced on Monday in the build up for the Pakistan Youth team to appear in the 2012 Olympic football Asian qualifying tournament. The Camp will run until 4 February 2011 at the same venue.
Besides GKs Amir Gul, Basit Ghafoor, Ghulam Raza and Saqib Hanif,I have also asked outfield players Muhammad Usman (PEL), Akbar Hussain, Aoun Shah (WAPDA), and Muhammad Umer ( Sahiwal) in the Camp to prove their mental tougness and fitness for coming assignment. The absentees from the Camp are Jadeed Khan, Manzoor Ahmed (WAPDA), Muhammad Riaz (KESC), Zakir Lashari (HBL), Abdul Jabbar (PIA) and Mudssar Waseem (PAF).
Pakistan have been pitted against Malaysia with the first leg to be played in Kuala Lumpur on 23 Feb 2011 and the return leg in Pakistan on 9 March 2011.
Note: The FootballPakistan.Com Team introduced Naiman to the PFF.