Zohib Islam Amiri

Afghan footballer

Zohib Islam Amiri
ذهیب اسلام امیری
Amiri with Afghanistan at the 2011 SAFF Championship
Personal information
Full name Zohib Islam Haroon Fakhruddin Amiri[1]
Date of birth (1990-02-15) 15 February 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Kabul, Afghanistan
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 A.S. Blainville
Number 4
Youth career
2002–2005 Aga Khan Sports Academy[2]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2007 Shoa 20 (5)
2007–2009 Kabul Bank 50 (7)
2009–2011 Ferozi 20 (4)
2011–2014 Mumbai 58 (9)
2014–2015 Dempo 16 (5)
2014 → FC Goa (loan) 9 (0)
2015–2016 DSK Shivajians 14 (0)
2017 Chennai City FC 10 (2)
2018–2019 New Radiant 15 (2)
2019 A.S. Blainville 0 (0)
2019–2020 Gokulam Kerala 12 (0)
2020–2021 A.S. Blainville 21 (1)
2021 Real Kashmir 14 (0)
2022– A.S. Blainville 31 (5)
International career‡
2005– Afghanistan 68 (6)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Afghanistan
SAFF Championship
Winner 2013 Nepal
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 September 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 26 March 2024

Zohib Islam Amiri (Dari: ذهیب اسلام امیری; born 15 February 1990) is an Afghan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for A.S. Blainville and the Afghanistan national team.[3]

Early life

Amiri was born on 15 February 1990[4] to an ethnic Hazara family in Kabul, with his family originally hailing from Bamyan.[5] Growing up he played football often on the streets of Char Qala in eastern Kabul, using a homemade ball made of rolled up fabric stitched together.[5] During the Taliban rule he often witnessed executions at the national stadium.[6]

After rising tensions in Kabul, Amiri's family moved to Karachi in Pakistan as refugees, where he eventually joined an amateur team at the age of twelve at the Agha Khan Sports Academy,[2] along with his elder brothers, as a striker.[5][7][8][9] After Hamid Karzai took over as president of Afghanistan, his family returned to Afghanistan in March 2005 for a cousin's wedding, joining a local club named Shoa FC.[5][10][11]

Club career

Early career

Amiri started his career with Shoa F.C in 2005. In 2007, he played for Kabul Bank F.C.[4]

Mumbai FC

Amiri joined Mumbai FC in 2011, and quickly became one of the star players at the club. Following his impressive performances during the 2012–13 I-League he received the award for the fan's players on the season.[6] Despite reviving this prestigious award his contract with Mumbai FC was not renewed and Amiri began thinking of moving to Bahrain or Oman to play club football, but ultimately decided to stay in India.[12]

Dempo SC

On 11 January, Amiri along with Tolgay Özbey signed for Indian club Dempo on a one-year contract, and received shirt number 18.[13][14][15] He made his debut against Rangdajied United and scored. On 7 April he was involved in an ugly brawl in a match between Dempo SC and his former club Mumbai FC.[16]

On 30 May both Amiri and Özbey signed extensions with Dempo.[15]

On 4 April 2015, he scored two goals, including one only one minute from time to salvage a 2–2 draw with Sporting Goa.[17]

DSK Shivajians

In January 2016, Amiri announced signing a contract with Indian football club DSK Shivajians.[18] He finished the season with DSK Shivajians last but did not relegate with his team because other clubs withdraw from the league.

Chennai City

In January 2017, Amiri joined Chennai City FC in the Indian I-League.[19][20] He left after disagreement with the coach.[21]

Blainville

In 2019, he briefly played with A.S. Blainville in the Canadian Première ligue de soccer du Québec, playing in cup matches, earning a red card in one.[22]

Gokulam Kerala

On 2 November 2019, it was announced that Amiri joined Gokulam Kerala for 2019 i league.[23]

Return to Blainville

Amiri also played with Blainville in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Real Kashmir

"I have had offers from the middle east, and also parts of Asia. But I never wanted to come out of my comfort zone. I have already settled down in India, and whichever city I play in, I cherish it. Going to another country will require myself to devote time to learn the language, culture, adapt to the food and a lot of other stuff – there will always be new challenges.

I am aware of the Indian culture, celebrate Indian festivals, love the food, speak the same language, watch the movies, hang around with my Indian friends, and am extremely proud of having been in India. I am welcomed everywhere and have been lucky to have made good buddies over the years."

Amiri on his career in India after signing with Real Kashmir.[24]

In 2021, ahead of the 2021–22 I-League season, Amiri joined Real Kashmir. He also appeared with the club in 2021 IFA Shield.

International career

Amiri made his debut in the 2005 SAFF Gold Cup against Maldives. He was part of the Afghanistan squad for the 2011 SAFF Championship, where they reached the final for the first time. Wearing number 3 he contributed many memorable performances, including scoring one of the goals in Afghanistan's biggest ever victory over Bhutan[25]

Amiri (in red uniform) against Jeje Lalpekhlua of India during the 2011 SAFF Championship

Two years later Amiri served as captain for Afghanistan at the 2013 SAFF Championship, and was the rock of which the Afghan defense was built on. He scored goals in a 3–0 win over Bhutan[26] and a 3–1 win over Sri Lanka.[27] He played a crucial role as Afghanistan made it to the final for a second consecutive time an achieved a 2–0 victory against India.[28]

In May 2014 Amiri captained the squad to the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup in the Maldives. On 22 May he scored the first goal of the game with a bullet header in Afghanistan's 3–1 victory over Turkmenistan at the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup. This was also Afghanistan's first every victory at the AFC Challenge Cup in eight attempts.[29] After Afghanistan's 0–0 draw with Laos that confirmed their progression out of the group stage, an accident occurred while the Afghan players were being driven back to their hotel. Amiri suffered minor injuries, along with Faisal Sakhizada, Ahmad Hatifi, Balal Arezou, and Mustafa Azadzoy, the latter of which will have to take three weeks off to recover. All five players are set to miss the semi-finals against Palestine. Former coach Mohammad Yousef Kargar and current coach Erich Rutemöller also suffered minor injuries.[30][31][32][33]

Career statistics

Scores and results list Afghanistan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Amiri goal.
List of international goals scored by Zohib Islam Amiri[4]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 7 December 2011 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, India  Bhutan 2–0 8–1 2011 SAFF Championship
2 2 September 2013 Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal  Bhutan 1–0 3–0 2013 SAFF Championship
3 4 September 2013 Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal  Sri Lanka 2–1 3–1
4 14 May 2014 Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait  Kuwait 1–3 2–3 Friendly
5 22 May 2014 Addu Football Stadium, Addu City, Maldives  Turkmenistan 1–0 3–1 2014 AFC Challenge Cup
6 10 October 2017 Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan  Jordan 2–2 3–3 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Honours

Afghanistan

Real Kashmir

References

  1. ^ a b Zohib Islam Amiri at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ a b "Asian Football – DW – 06/07/2013". dw.com. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Zohib ISLAM". FIFA. Archived from the original on 21 November 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  4. ^ a b c Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "NFT player — National team & Club appearances: Amiri, Zohib Islam". national-football-teams.com. National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d Ahmed, Shuaib (26 August 2015). "Zohib Islam Amiri: the Afghan refugee turned football star". These Football Times. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Islam Amiri Hazara – Afghan national football team captain and Fans "player of the year"". Hazara.net. 24 September 2013. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Afghanistan trailblazer Zohib Islam Amiri making history in the Indian Super League after escaping the Taliban". The Telegraph. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Running from bombs: The stunning story of Afghan footballer Zohib Amiri". Firstpost. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  9. ^ "BBC World Service - Sportsworld - From refugee to signing for Zico". BBC. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Amiri's remarkable journey from raw teen to Afghanistan icon". inside.fifa.com. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  11. ^ Gaffers, The Young (25 June 2020). "Episode 218: In Conversation with Afghanistan International Zohib Islam Amiri". The Young Gaffers. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  12. ^ Arunava Chaudhuri (13 June 2013). "Interview with Zohib Islam Amiri (Afghanistan/ex-Mumbai FC)". Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  13. ^ "Afghan footballer Amiri joins Dempo from Mumbai FC". Rediff Sports. 11 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  14. ^ "Afghan footballer Zohib Islam Amiri joins Dempo Sports Club". Zee News. 11 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  15. ^ a b Atanu Mitra (30 May 2014). "Özbey, Amiri extend contract with Dempo, Rowilson roped in". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  16. ^ Arjun V Namboothiri and Atanu Mitra (7 April 2014). "Fracas in the aftermath of Dempo-Mumbai game". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  17. ^ Brendon Netto and Anselm Noronha (4 April 2015). "A late effort from the Afghan to add to his earlier goal ensured that Dempo got a point out of the Goan derby". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  18. ^ "DSK Shivajians announces itself as ninth I-League team". firstpost.com. 5 January 2016. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  19. ^ https://web.facebook.com/photo.phpfbid=352888461765264&set=a.104241199963326.1073741829.100011323381767&type=3&theater[author=Mustafa9127 Archived 11 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine] [user-generated source]
  20. ^ Chennai City FC players (A to Z) Archived 11 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine Worldfootball.net. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  21. ^ "Chennai City FC part ways with Amiri after controversy • Infootball". infootball.co. 10 March 2017. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  22. ^ "COUPE PLSQ – DEMI-FINALES : AVANT-MATCHS" [PLSQ CUP – SEMI-FINALS: PRE-GAMES]. 3 October 2019. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  23. ^ "Gokulam sign ex-Afghan skipper Amiri | Football News - Times of India". The Times of India. 4 November 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  24. ^ "All our players play professional club football abroad: Haroon Amiri". the-ileague.org. Hero I-League. 14 June 2021. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  25. ^ Rahul Bali (7 December 2011). "Bhutan 1–8 Afghanistan: Belal Arezou Inspires The Lions Of Khorasan To Thrash The Bhutanese". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  26. ^ Ayush Srivastava (2 September 2013). "Afghanistan 3–0 Bhutan: The Lions of Khorasan made to sweat for three points". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  27. ^ Rahul Bali with Ayush Srivastava (2 September 2013). "Sri Lanka 1–3 Afghanistan: The Lions of Khorasan seal a semi-final berth with a win over the Lankans". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  28. ^ Rahul Bali with Ayush Srivastava (11 September 2013). "Afghanistan 2–0 India: The Lions of Khorasan win their first ever SAFF Championship title". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  29. ^ "AFC Challenge Cup: Afghanistan 3–1 Turkmenistan". AFC. 23 May 2014. Archived from the original on 20 September 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  30. ^ "Afghan contingent suffers minor injuries in team bus accident". AFC. 25 May 2014. Archived from the original on 26 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  31. ^ Shimaaz Ali (25 May 2014). "Five Afghan players to miss semi". Maldives Soccer. Archived from the original on 26 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  32. ^ Mohamed Sajid (25 May 2014). "Afghanistan is all over worried". Maldives Soccer. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  33. ^ Shimaaz Ali (24 May 2014). "Afghan five players injured due to the accident". Maldives Soccer. Archived from the original on 26 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  34. ^ "Real Kashmir FC defends IFA Shield title, beats Sreenidi Deccan FC in a thriller". sportstar.thehindu.com. Sportstar. 15 December 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.

External links

  • Zohib Islam Amiri at National-Football-Teams.com
  • Zohib Islam Amiri at Global Sports Archive
  • Zohib Islam Amiri archives at Khel Now