Naveed Akram

Naveed Akram
Personal information
Full name Muhammad Naveed Akram
Date of birth (1984-05-16) 16 May 1984
Place of birthMultan, Pakistan
PositionRight-back
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2003–2014WAPDA
2007 Lahore Lajpaals
2011 → Saraswoti Youth Club (loan)
2014–2015Lyallpur
International career
2004–2006Pakistan U23
2004–2009Pakistan 21 (1)
Medal record
Pakistan
WinnerSouth Asian Games2004 Islamabad
WinnerSouth Asian Games2006 Colombo
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Muhammad Naveed Akram (Urdu: محمد نوید اکرم; born 16 May 1984) is a Pakistani former footballer who played as a right-back.

Club career

WAPDA

Akram won three Pakistan Premier League titles with WAPDA F. C. (in the 2004–05, 2007–08, 2008–09 and 2010–11 seasons) during his stint with the club from 2003 until 2014.[1]

He was part of the Lahore Lajpaal team that lost in the semi-finals of Geo Super Football League.

Loan to Saraswoti Youth Club

In 2011, Akram along with club compatriot Mehmood Ali were loaned to Nepali club Saraswoti Youth Club from May to July for the 2011 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League campaign.[2][3][4] Both made their debut for the club in 21 May 2011, following a 0–2 loss against Brigade Boys Club at the Dasarath Rangsala Stadium. One month on, the duo helped the club win two games and reach the team target to climb out of the relegation zone.

Lyallpur

Akram had a short stint at Lyallpur in 2014, before his eventual retirement.[5][1]

International career

Akram was called by the Pakistan under-23 national team for the 2004 and 2006 South Asian Games, where he helped Pakistan win the gold medal.[6][7]

He made his senior debut with Pakistan on 12 June 2005 which was the first game in a series of three games against India, the game finished 1–1 draw to Pakistan He was subsequently called for the 2005 SAFF Gold Cup.[8] He scored his first goal on 15 November 2006 in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification, in the eventual 2–3 loss against UAE.[9] He also featured at the 2006 Asian Games, where he scored a long range goal in the eventual 2–3 loss against Japan.[10]

Playing style

Akram was praised for his defensive skills paired with his goal-scoring ability.[11] He is most known for his memorable long range goal in the 2006 Asian Games, when Pakistan came close to a huge upset against Japan.[10][12][13][11]

Post-retirement

On 29 March 2021, Akram was appointed as secretary general of the Pakistan Football Federation, following a controversial takeover by Syed Ashfaq Hussain Shah, which eventually leaded to a ban by FIFA on the federation.[14][15][16][17] Three years later on 28 August 2024, Akram along with 21 former officials faced a lifetime ban due to their alleged role in creating a parallel association and orchestrating a hostile takeover of the PFF offices.[18]

Career statistics

International

Appearances and goals by year and competition[1]
National team Year Apps Goals
Pakistan2005 9 0
2006 8 1
2007 1 0
2008 3 0
Total 21 1

International goals

U-23

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 29 November 2006 Qatar SC Stadium, Doha, Qatar  Japan2–3 2–3 2006 Asian Games

Senior

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 15 November 2006 Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE  United Arab Emirates1–0 2–3 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Honours

WAPDA

Pakistan U23

References

  1. ^ abcStrack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Naveed Akram (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  2. ^natasha.raheel (18 May 2011). "Two Pakistanis sign up for Nepal league". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  3. ^Agencies (18 May 2011). "Pakistani footballers break into international scene". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  4. ^"Naveed, Mahmood to play for Nepalese club". DAWN.COM. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  5. ^"Muhammad Naveed Akram - Soccer player profile & career statistics - Global Sports Archive". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  6. ^"9th South Asian Federation Games 2004 (Pakistan)". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  7. ^"Football team to be honoured". DAWN.COM. 25 November 2006. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  8. ^"South Asian Gold Cup 2005 (Karachi, Pakistan)". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  9. ^Ahsan, Ali (5 January 2018). "The decade-long decline of Pakistani football after a rare high". These Football Times. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  10. ^ ab"rediff.com: Doha Asian Games". m.rediff.com. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  11. ^ abAhsan, Ali (2 February 2011). "A history of football in Pakistan — Final part". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  12. ^"Pakistani defender Naveed Akram shoots to score the team's second..."Getty Images. 30 November 2006. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  13. ^An amazing goal by N Akram for Pakistan against Japan, retrieved 12 March 2024
  14. ^"National Women Football to be completed, decides Ashfaq-led PFF". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  15. ^"Balochistan Bazigars emerge national U23 champs". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  16. ^"Online elections of 2022 under PFF's supervision began". The Nation. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  17. ^"PFF extended club registration till Oct 5". The Nation. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  18. ^"PFF imposes lifetime ban on 22 former officials". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
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