>J Football at 21:31, 15 June 2021

2021-06-15T21:31:53Z

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{{Indian name|Ishfaq|Ahmed}}
{{short description|Former Indian footballer and manager}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ishfaq Ahmed
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname = Ishfaq Ahmed
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|3|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India
| height = {{height|m=1.75}}
| currentclub = [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]] (Assistant manager)
| clubnumber =
| position = [[Midfielder|Central Midfielder]]
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 2002–2003
| clubs1 = [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited S.C.|HAL]]
| caps1 = 25
| goals1 = 5
| years2 = 2003–2007
| clubs2 = [[Dempo S.C.|Dempo]]
| caps2 = 61
| goals2 = 14
| years3 = 2007–2011
| clubs3 = [[Mohun Bagan A.C.|Mohun Bagan]]
| caps3 = 82
| goals3 = 15
| years4 = 2011–2012
| clubs4 = [[Salgaocar F.C.|Salgaocar]]
| caps4 = 30
| goals4 = 8
| years5 = 2012–2013
| clubs5 = [[East Bengal F.C.|East Bengal]]
| caps5 = 22
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2013–2014
| clubs6 = → [[Mohammedan S.C. (Kolkata)|Mohammedan]] (loan)
| caps6 = 14
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2014–2017
| clubs7 = [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]]
| caps7 = 25
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2015
| clubs8 = → [[Pune F.C.|Pune]] (loan)
| caps8 = 11
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2016
| clubs9 = → [[Mumbai F.C.|Mumbai]] (loan)
| caps9 = 5
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2017
| clubs10 = → [[Mohammedan S.C. (Kolkata)|Mohammedan]] (loan)
| caps10 = 0
| goals10 = 0
| caps11 = 0
| goals11 = 0
| totalcaps = 275
| totalgoals = 25
| nationalyears1 = 2003
| nationalteam1 = [[India national under-23 football team|India U23]]
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| manageryears1 = 2015–2017
| managerclubs1 = [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]] (assistant)
| manageryears2 = 2017–2018
| managerclubs2 = [[Jamshedpur FC |Jamshedpur]] (assistant)
| manageryears3 = 2019–
| managerclubs3 = [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]] (assistant)
| manageryears4 = 2021
| managerclubs4 = [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]] (Interim head coach)
| club-update = 15 October 2016
| ntupdate = 1 August 2015
}}

'''Ishfaq Ahmed''' (born 17 March 1983) is a former [[Football in India|Indian footballer]] who currently works as the [[assistant coach]] of [[Kerala Blasters FC]] in [[Indian Super League]]. He is also a member of the [[All India Football Federation|AIFF]] technical committee. Ishfaq is one among the two professional footballers, along with [[Mehrajuddin Wadoo]], to come from [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. He has represented the country and has played in the [[I-League]] and the [[Indian Super League]] for several clubs including [[Dempo S.C.|Dempo]], [[Mohun Bagan A.C.|Mohun Bagan]], [[Salgaocar F.C.|Salgaocar]], [[East Bengal F.C.|East Bengal]], [[Mohammedan S.C. (Kolkata)|Mohammedan]], [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]], [[Pune F.C.|Pune F.C]], and [[Mumbai F.C.]] He has also won the league title while also winning domestic cups such as the [[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]] and [[Durand Cup]].

==Club career==
===Early career===
Born in the Barbar Shah locality in [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], Ahmed started his sports career as a [[cricket]] player.<ref name="Top Notch">{{cite news|last1=Malik|first1=Saqib|title=Top notch Kashmir footballer is jobless|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/sports/top-notch-kashmir-footballer-is-jobless/202775.html|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Greater Kashmir|date=28 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="Interview">{{cite news|title=Interview of Ishfaq Ahmed|url=http://www.mohunbaganac.com/interview-detail/interview-of-ishfaq-ahmed|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Mohun Bagan Athletic Club|date=18 February 2009}}</ref> Despite more opportunities to play cricket, Ahmed admitted that his first sporting love was [[association football|football]] and he started to play the game at Biscoe School while also playing for the local side, YMCA.<ref name="TC">{{cite news|last1=Shafi|first1=Zehra|title=Kashmir has talent but no infrastructure: Footballer Ishfaq Ahmed|url=http://twocircles.net/2011oct23/kashmir_has_talent_no_infrastructure_footballer_ishfaq_ahmed.html#.V5-tR5MrLBI|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Two Circles|date=23 October 2011}}</ref> At the age of seventeen, Ahmed lead YMCA to the state league title, becoming the state top scorer in the process while playing as a [[forward (association football)|striker]].<ref name="Interview"/> He credits his first football coach, Satpal Singh, for getting him to become a professional footballer: "Satpal Singh not only brushed up my skills but also helped me turn into a professional. My teachers at Biscoe and Gandhi College also supported me a lot."<ref name="TC"/> After playing for YMCA, Ahmed started to play for the [[J&K Bank Football Club|Jammu and Kashmir Bank football team]].<ref name="Top Notch"/> After good performances with the side, Ahmed was selected to join the Jammu and Kashmir under-21 side for the Dutta Ray Trophy as captain.<ref>{{cite news|title=J&K gives Bengal a scare|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2002/04/26/stories/2002042602872100.htm|access-date=1 August 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=26 April 2002}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Due to his performance during the Dutta Ray Trophy, Ahmed was awarded the best player of the tournament award.<ref name="FF">{{cite news|title=Fantastic Four|url=http://www.kashmirlife.net/fantastic-four-57016/|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Kashmir Life|date=17 March 2014}}</ref> After the tournament, Ahmed signed with [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited S.C.|Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]] (HAL).<ref name="Pune FC">{{cite news|title=Pune FC sign midfielder Ishfaq Ahmed|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/Pune-FC-sign-midfielder-Ishfaq-Ahmed/articleshow/45901175.cms|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Times of India|date=15 January 2015}}</ref> During his only season at HAL, Ahmed scored seven goals in the [[National Football League (India)|National Football League]], including strikes against major sides such as [[East Bengal F.C.|East Bengal]], [[Dempo S.C.|Dempo]], and [[Churchill Brothers S.C.|Churchill Brothers]].<ref name="Interview"/>

After one season with HAL, Ahmed signed with [[Dempo S.C.|Dempo]]. He stayed with the club for four seasons, winning the [[National Football League (India)|National Football League]] title twice, a [[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]], and a [[Durand Cup]].<ref name="Interview"/> He began his career at Dempo as a striker but after head coach [[Armando Colaco]] signed [[Roberto Mendes Silva|Beto]] to play as striker, Ahmed was put onto the bench. After being knocked-out of the Federation Cup by Ahmed's old side HAL Colaco changed his tactics and put Beto in the midfield while pairing Ahmed with Nigerian player, [[Ranti Martins]].<ref name="Interview"/>

===Mohun Bagan===
After the [[2006–07 Indian National Football League|2006–07]] season, Ahmed was offered a contract extension with Dempo but decided to think it over after a lack of playing time. [[Mohun Bagan A.C.|Mohun Bagan]] secretary, Debasish Dutta, contacted Ahmed and offered him a contract with the Kolkata side.<ref name="Interview"/> Ahmed was at first pensive about signing for Mohun Bagan since Kolkata clubs were known to pay their players late and overall bad management but after some consideration, Ahmed signed a one-year deal with Mohun Bagan.<ref name="Interview"/> His first season at Mohun Bagan saw Ahmed play 37 matches and he played mainly as a [[midfielder|left winger]].<ref name="FF"/> He helped the side win the [[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]] in 2008 and finished as runners up during the [[2008–09 I-League]] season.<ref name="Pune FC"/> He was also named as the best player during the [[Santosh Trophy]] in 2008.<ref name="TC"/>

During the [[2010–11 I-League|2010–11]] season, Ahmed was named as Mohun Bagan captain, becoming the first Kashmiri captain in the club's history.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ishfaq Ahmed|url=https://www.hcilondon.in/indiadigest/Issue320/pdf/7.pdf|access-date=1 August 2016|work=HCI London|date=1 October 2010}}</ref>

===Later career===
After four years with [[Mohun Bagan A.C.|Mohun Bagan]], Ahmed moved back to Goa to sign with [[I-League]] side [[Salgaocar F.C.|Salgaocar]].<ref name="Pune FC"/> He helped the side win the [[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]] in 2011 before moving to Mohun Bagan's Kolkata rivals, [[East Bengal F.C.|East Bengal]].<ref name="Pune FC"/> He was a regular fixture in the squad for East Bengal during the [[2012–13 I-League]] season as East Bengal finished third.<ref name="Pune FC"/>

After the season ended, Ahmed signed a contract with IMG–Reliance to be part of the [[Indian Super League]].<ref name="FF"/> Despite signing the contract, Ahmed was left without an I-League side as the clubs agreed not to sign any players who joined the ISL, until [[Mohammedan S.C. (Kolkata)|Mohammedan]], another Kolkata club, signed Ahmed on 30 October 2013.<ref name="FF"/>

In July 2014, Ahmed was selected by the [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]] during the Indian player draft for the [[Indian Super League]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Khan|first1=Abib|title=Kashmir’s top footballers to feature in Indian Super League|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/sports/kashmir-s-top-footballers-to-feature-in-indian-super-league/174748.html|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Greater Kashmir|date=24 July 2014}}</ref> He made his debut for the side on 30 October 2014 against [[FC Pune City|Pune City]]. He came on as a 25th-minute substitute for [[Ramandeep Singh (footballer)|Ramandeep Singh]] as the Blasters won 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pune City 1-2 Kerala Blasters|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/10/30/india/indian-super-league/pune-city/kerala-blasters/1931487/|website=Soccerway}}</ref> Ahmed then went on to score the first goal for Kerala Blasters in leg 1 of the [[2014 Indian Super League playoffs]] match-up against [[Chennaiyin FC|Chennaiyin]]. His 27th-minute strike was the first of a 3–0 rout of the Chennai side.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerala Blasters 3-0 Chennaiyin|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/12/13/india/indian-super-league/kerala-blasters/chennai-titans/1974051/|website=Soccerway}}</ref>

After the season ended, Ahmed joined [[Pune F.C.|Pune]] for the I-League campaign on loan before rejoining Kerala Blasters for 2015.<ref name="Pune FC"/> For the [[2015 Indian Super League season|2015 season]], Ahmed became a player-assistant coach for the Kerala Blasters.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bali|first1=Rahul|title=Ishfaq dons the hat of player-manager in ISL|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/7083/isl/2015/06/20/12899022/ishfaq-dons-the-hat-of-player-manager-in-isl|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Goal.com|date=20 June 2015}}</ref> After the Indian Super League season, on 26 February 2016, it was announced that Ahmed would join another I-League side on loan, [[Mumbai F.C.|Mumbai]] for the [[2015–16 I-League|2015–16]] season.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bali|first1=Rahul|title=I-League: Mumbai FC rope in Ishfaq, Nabi and Naoba|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2016/02/26/20724322/i-league-mumbai-fc-rope-in-ishfaq-nabi-and-naoba|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Goal.com|date=26 February 2016}}</ref>

===Mohammedan===
on 26 May 2017, it was announced that Ahmed would join [[I-League 2nd Division]] side on loan, [[Mohammedan S.C. (Kolkata)|Mohammedan]] for next two season.

==International career==
After good performances for [[Dempo S.C.|Dempo]], Ahmed was called up to the [[India national under-23 football team|India U23]] side by head coach, [[Stephen Constantine]], for [[Summer Olympics|Olympic]] qualification.<ref name="Interview"/> Ahmed scored on his debut for the side against [[Turkmenistan national under-23 football team|Turkmenistan U23]] as India won 1–0. In 2005 he was called for the national team for 2006 World Cup qualification matches but could not find place in first 11.<ref name="Interview"/>

==Coaching career==
He started his coaching career with [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]] as player cum assistant manager in 2015. After retirement from football, he joined [[Jamshedpur FC]] as their assistant coach under [[Steve Coppell]], with whom he previously worked at [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-09-04|title=“Tiri’s experience will be key” – Ishfaq Ahmed|url=https://www.fcjamshedpur.com/news/tiris-experience-will-be-key-ishfaq-ahmed|access-date=2020-07-03|website=Jamshedpur Football Club|language=en}}</ref> After Coppell's departure from Jamshedpur he also left the club. In 2019 Ishfaq returned to [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]] as their assistant coach under the newly appointed head coach [[Eelco Schattorie]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sportstar|first=Team|title=ISL: Kerala Blasters retains Ishfaq Ahmed for three more years|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-super-league-ishfaq-ahmed-kerala-blasters-football-news/article31659106.ece|access-date=2020-07-03|website=Sportstar|language=en}}</ref>

In 2020 he extended his contract with the Blasters for another 3 years.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sportstar|first=Team|title=ISL: Kerala Blasters retains Ishfaq Ahmed for three more years|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-super-league-ishfaq-ahmed-kerala-blasters-football-news/article31659106.ece|access-date=2020-08-02|website=Sportstar|language=en}}</ref> On 17 February 2021, Ishfaq took over as the interim head coach at the Blasters after the head coach [[Kibu Vicuña|Kibu Vicuna]] and the club decided to part away on mutual consent. He managed the club in the last two games of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-17|title=Kerala Blasters FC and Kibu Vicuna Mutually Part Ways|url=https://keralablastersfc.in/kerala-blasters-fc-and-kibu-vicuna-mutually-part-ways/|access-date=2021-02-17|website=Kerala Blasters FC|language=en-US}}</ref>

==AlFF committee member==
In 23 March 2017 Ishfaq was selected to the [[All India Football Federation|All India Football Fedreation]]'s Technical Committee member.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ganesan|first=Uthra|title=Shyam Thapa replaces Bhutia as AIFF technical committee chairman|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/shyam-thapa-replaces-bhutia-as-aiff-technical-committee-chairman/article17613885.ece|access-date=2020-07-03|website=Sportstar|language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Kerala Blasters FC non-playing staff]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.indiansuperleague.com/kerala-blasters-fc/squad/midfielder-10632-ishfaq-ahmed-playerprofile Indian Super League Profile].

{{Kerala Blasters FC managers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahmed, Ishfaq}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Srinagar]]
[[Category:Indian footballers]]
[[Category:Hindustan Aeronautics Limited S.C. players]]
[[Category:Dempo S.C. players]]
[[Category:Mohun Bagan A.C. players]]
[[Category:Salgaocar FC players]]
[[Category:SC East Bengal players]]
[[Category:Mohammedan S.C. (Kolkata) players]]
[[Category:Kerala Blasters FC players]]
[[Category:Pune F.C. players]]
[[Category:Mumbai F.C. players]]
[[Category:Association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Association football forwards]]
[[Category:Footballers from Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:National Football League (India) players]]
[[Category:Calcutta Football League players]]
[[Category:Goa Professional League players]]
[[Category:I-League players]]
[[Category:Indian Super League players]]
[[Category:India youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Kerala Blasters FC head coaches]]
[[Category:Indian Super League head coaches]]

Ishfaq Ahmed - Revision history

>J Football at 21:31, 15 June 2021