Jafar Iqbal

Jafar Iqbal (Bengali: জাফর ইকবাল; born 27 September 1999) is a Bangladeshi professional footballer who can play on either wings preferably on the left.[1] He currently plays for Dhaka Mohamedan Sporting in the Bangladesh Football Premier League.[2][3]

Jafar Iqbal
Personal information
Full name Jafar Iqbal
Date of birth (1999-09-27) 27 September 1999
Place of birth Bandarban, Bangladesh
Height 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Left winger
Team information
Current team
 Dhaka Mohammadan
Number 37
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016 Arambagh KS 21 (4)
2017–18 Chittagong Abahani 15 (1)
2018–20 Saif Sporting Club 19 (1)
2020– Dhaka Mohammedan 37 (5)
International career‡
2017 Bangladesh U23 5 (0)
2017 Bangladesh U20 6 (5)
2016– Bangladesh 8 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02 August 2022
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 8 June 2022

Club career

Arambagh KS

Jafar started his professional career in 2016 when he was signed by Saiful Bari Titu with Arambagh KS. On August 9, 2016 Jafar scored his first professional league goal against Brothers Union during 2016 Bangladesh Football Premier League.[4] Jafar scored a cracker against Team BJMC in the semi-final of 2016 Bangladesh Federation Cup and helped his team to reach up in the final.[5] His combination with Mohammad Abdullah worked superbly for Arambagh KS as they played final of 2016 Bangladesh Federation Cup and finished the premier league at sixth position.

Chittagong Abahani

After a successful season with Arambagh KS, in April 2017 Jafar joined new giant of local football Chittagong Abahani. However, under coach Saiful Bari Titu Jafar could not cement a starting spot in the team and only scored a single goal all season, which cam against relegation threatened Team BJMC.

Saif SC

On 10 December 2019, Jafar joined the country's new corporate giants Saif Sporting Club. However, it was another disappointing season for him, scoring only a single goal in 17 league appearance, and in turn losing his place in the senior national team.

Mohammedan SC

On 10 December 2020, Jafar joined Dhaka giants Mohammedan SC, from Saif SC for a transfer fee of Tk 1.5 lakh. The deal was the first instance of a transfer fee being paid in Bangladeshi club football.[6]

Jafar was ruled out for six week after injuring his knee during an 2021–22 Independence Cup game against Saif SC.[7]

International career

Youth

Jafar made his Bangladesh U18 debut against India during 2017 SAFF U-18 Championship. He led his team to a stunning 4–3 win overcoming three goals deficit at the break against India U18 with a superb brace both coming from header. [8]

Jafar was the Golden boot award winner in 2017 SAFF U-18 Championship for scoring 5 goals from 4 matches. He also had an assist in that sensational match against India. Since making his top tier debut for Arambagh KS in 2016 domestic season, he has been considered to hold a bright future for Bangladesh football.[9][10][11]

Jafar made his Olympic team debut against Nepal U23 on July 11, 2017 during an International friendly match.

Senior team

Jafar made his senior team debut against Maldives on September 1, 2016 during an International friendly match.[12] He scored his first goal against Laos on 27 March 2018.

International goals

Bangladesh U20
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.18 September 2017Changlimithang Stadium, ThimpuIndia India U181–34–3[13]2017 SAFF U-18 Championship
2.4–3
3.20 September 2017Changlimithang Stadium, ThimpuMaldives Maldives U182–02–02017 SAFF U-18 Championship
4.27 September 2017Changlimithang Stadium, ThimpuBhutan Bhutan U181–02–0[14]2017 SAFF U-18 Championship
5.2–0

National team
Scores and results list Bangladesh's goal tally first.[2]
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.27 March 2018New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane Laos1–22–2Friendly

Awards
  • Kool-BSPA Footballer of the Year: 2017[15]

References
  1. Hoque, Shishir (31 August 2018). "Jafar Iqbal, a beacon of hope for Bangladesh football". Dhaka Tribune.
  2. Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Jafar Iqbal". national-football-teams.com.
  3. "Bangladesh - J. Iqbal - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway.
  4. "BPL: Arambagh KS play 2-2 with Brothers Union". Archived from the original on 2 April 2019.
  5. "Arambagh reach final beating Team BJMC". The Financial Express. Dhaka. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  6. বাংলাদেশের ফুটবলের প্রথম ট্রান্সফার ফি. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 10 December 2020.
  7. "'Every time my players take the pitch, I hold my breath'". The Daily Star. 8 December 2021.
  8. "SAFF U18 Championship: Bangladesh beat India by 4-3". Risingbd.com. 18 September 2017.
  9. বাংলাদেশের জাফর যেন ‘চাংলিমিথাংয়ের মেসি. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 30 September 2017.
  10. এক জাফর ইকবালের গল্প. Egiye Cholo (in Bengali).
  11. "Jafar Iqbal aims higher". The Daily Star. 30 September 2017.
  12. "Nat'l football team to fly for Maldives today". Daily Sun. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  13. "Bangladesh stage incredible comeback to beat India". The Daily Star. 18 September 2017.
  14. "Bangladesh miss out on Saff U-18 title despite beating Bhutan". Dhaka Tribune.
  15. "Kool-BSPA Sports Award : Shakib Al Hasan Player of the Year". The New Nation. 8 January 2018.
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