Saadullah Khan (footballer) explained

Saadullah Khan
Fullname:Saadullah Khan
Birth Date:4 June 1994
Birth Place:Pishin, Pakistan
Position:Attacking midfielder / Winger
Youthyears1:2008–2009
Youthclubs1:Youth Academy Pishin
Youthyears2:2009–2010
Youthclubs2:Pak Elektron
Years1:2010–2011
Clubs1:Pak Elektron
Caps1:27
Goals1:11
Years2:2011–2014
Clubs2:Khan Research Laboratories
Caps2:95
Goals2:43
Years3:2014–2015
Clubs3:Sui Southern Gas
Caps3:8
Goals3:6
Years4:2015–2016
Clubs4:B.G. Sports Club
Caps4:12
Goals4:5
Years5:2017–2018
Clubs5:Dhivehi Sifainge
Years6:2018–2022
Clubs6:Sui Southern Gas
Caps6:23
Goals6:6
Nationalyears1:2009–2011
Nationalteam1:Pakistan U20
Nationalcaps1:23
Nationalgoals1:4
Nationalyears2:2015
Nationalteam2:Pakistan U23
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2014–2020
Nationalteam3:Pakistan
Nationalcaps3:7
Nationalgoals3:1
Club-Update:November 2022
Nationalteam-Update:20 January 2022

Saadullah Khan (Urdu: {{Nastaliq|سعد الله خان; born 4 June 1994) is a Pakistani professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder.[1] He is currently a free agent. Although his favored position is that of a playmaker, he can also be deployed as a striker or winger.

Khan had been praised for his speed, technique, dribbling skills, and play-making capabilities. Considered one of Pakistan's best young players in the 2010s, he had been labelled as one of the featured midfielders of South Asia in 2015.[2] [3] [4]

Early life

Saadullah was born in the town of Pishin, in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. He used to study in a madrassa, and became a Hafiz in December 2000.[5]

Club career

Youth career

In 2008, Saadullah trained at Youth Academy Pishin. After a year, he played for departmental side Pak Elektron.

Khan Research Laboratories

He played for Khan Research Laboratories between 2011 and 2014, winning the Pakistan Premier League title in 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14 and Challenge Cup in 2011 and 2012. In the 2011 National Football Challenge Cup, Khan scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 victory against KPT as a substitute in the second half within 36 minutes in the 54th, 56th and 90th minute respectively as KRL advanced to the semifinals.

He also participated in the AFC President's Cup from 2012 to 2014. He was a member of the team which reached the 2013 AFC President's Cup final, after falling to Turkmen club Balkan FT by 0–1 in the final.[6]

BG Sports

Saadullah then had a brief stint at Sui Southern Gas in the second-tier of Pakistani football league,[7] [8] before finally making his move to BG Sports Club joining the club on a six-month contract in Maldives in April 2015.[9] [10] Khan was one of the four foreign players allowed for the club including Spaniard David Carmona, Trinidad and Tobago international Sean Bateau, and Nigerian David Philemon. The move would also make him the first Pakistani men footballer to play in Maldives, after female international Hajra Khan.[11]

Dhivehi Sifainge

After his stint, Khan returned to SSGC, playing in the 2016 PFF Cup which was the one the few events held in Pakistan due to Pakistan Football Federation crisis from 2015 to 2017 until the eventual ban.[12] [13] In August 2016, Saadullah got an offer from Hungarian team Somos SE to play in 3 friendlies.[14] [15] He eventually joined Dhivehi Sifainge in the 2017 Maldivian Third Division. The team got promoted to the Maldivian Second Division after defeating Sea Life SC in the penalties, following a 1–1 draw.[16]

Sui Southern Gas

Khan returned to SSGC in the 2018–19 season following the restoration of the Pakistan Premier League after three years since 2015. In February 2019, he got an offer from Indonesia Liga 1 club Persib Bandung.[17]

In 2021, SSGC club was closed after the shutdown of departmental sports in Pakistan. After the restoration of departmental sports in Pakistan, SSGC terminated contracts of the players of the squad on 26 August 2022, including Saadullah.[18]

International career

In 2009, Saadullah was called by the Pakistan under-19 team for the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship qualification in Tehran,[19] under coach Gohar Zaman.[20] [21]

Khan made his senior debut for the Pakistan national football team in 2014 at the age of 19, in a 3–1 defeat against Lebanon. His second appearance was against Palestine. Khan scored his first international goal for the national team on his third appearance, in a friendly against Afghanistan in 2015 which was assisted by team captain Hassan Bashir. Saadullah came as a substitute in the last 10 minutes of the match in place of Mansoor Khan, and scored with a header at the 91th minute of the match through a free kick executed by Bashir.[22] He also was included in Pakistan squad for test matches against Malaysia under-19 and under-22 in Kuala Lumpur, and Osotspa FC and Thailand under-23 in Bangkok in 2015. He remained an unused substitute in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification against Yemen.[23] [24] In May 2015, Khan also participated in the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification.[25]

Saadullah missed international exposure for the next 3 years, as Pakistan was suspended from all football activities by FIFA on 10 October 2017.[26] [27] For three years since March 2015, Pakistan remained suspended from any international competition because of the crisis created inside the Pakistan Football Federation.[28] Saadullah along with other national team players meanwhile participated with Pakistan during local Leisure Leagues exhibitions matches involving Brazilian star Ronaldinho and Ryan Giggs in 2017.[29] [30]

In 2018, Saadullah participated in Pakistan tour to Bahrain for test matches as a preparation for the 2018 SAFF Championship, when his national side returned to international circuit after 3 years, where he scored a goal in a 2–0 victory against Sitra Club. In the 2018 SAFF Championship, Pakistan terminated the campaign sealing its place in the semi-finals.[31]

In January 2020, Saadullah was named in Pakistan's squad for a two-match friendly tour in Malaysia against UKM and Felda United on 22 and 23 January respectively, which ended in a 2–2 draw and a 2–0 victory.[32] [33] This was before Pakistan were once again suspended from all football activities by FIFA on 7 April 2021. After the suspension was lifted on 29 June 2022, Saadullah along with his teammate Saddam Hussain were excluded from the national football team camp, as they were unable to attend the trials of the national team where they were named, following the return to international football due to their ongoing court case against their former departmental club SSGC.[34] [35]

Personal life

Saadullah lost his father in 2014, who had been killed by robbers in his hometown in Pishin.

He completed his master’s degree in International Relations in 2021. In May 2023, Saadullah became Pakistan's first player to complete an FA Level Two (UEFA) coaching course at the age of 28.[36] [37]

Career statistics

Club

[38]

ClubSeasonLeagueDomestic
Cup
Asian
Competition
Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Pak Elektron2010–11Pakistan Premier League249322711
Khan Research Laboratories2011–12Pakistan Premier League251460413515
2012–13Pakistan Premier League231540413116
2013–14Pakistan Premier League261131002912
Total98491638212254
Sui Southern Gas2014–15PFF League563086
BG Sports Club2015Dhivehi Premier League125125
Dhivehi Sifainge2017Maldivian Third Division
Sui Southern Gas2018–19Pakistan Premier League10220102
2019–20Pakistan Premier League5252
2020–21Pakistan Premier League0000
2021–22Pakistan Premier League8282
Total35151024317
Career total147642658218171

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Pakistan201420
201511
201840
Total71

International goals

Scores and results table list Pakistan's goal tally first.

Honours

Club

Khan Research Laboratories[39]

2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14;

2011, 2012

Dhivehi Sifainge

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Saadullah Khan . Perform Group . Soccerway . 25 August 2014.
  2. Web site: our.correspondent . 2015-11-21 . SAFF Championship: Saadullah sceptical of Pakistan’s participation . 2024-05-30 . The Express Tribune . en.
  3. Web site: natasha.raheel . 2015-12-22 . SAFF Championship: Pakistan will be missed, say India officials . 2024-05-30 . The Express Tribune . en.
  4. Web site: natasha.raheel . 2021-05-14 . Pick football over politics, says Saadullah . 2024-05-30 . The Express Tribune . en.
  5. Web site: Raheel . Natasha . 2021-11-23 . Light fading for Saadullah at tunnel’s end . 2024-05-30 . The Express Tribune . en.
  6. Web site: Balkan of Turkmenistan crowned as AFC President's Cup champions . 2024-02-06 . boxscorenews.com.
  7. http://www.dawn.com/news/1170015 End of an era? KRL part ways with Lutfi
  8. http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-10-288760-Ghulam-Rasool-extends-Armys-lead Ghulam Rasool extends Army’s lead
  9. Web site: 17 February 2015 . Saadullah pens deal with Maldives' BG Sports Club . 2023-07-12 . www.thenews.com.pk . en.
  10. Web site: Raheel . Natasha . 2015-02-15 . Six-month stint: Saadullah signs with Maldivian club . 2023-07-12 . The Express Tribune . en.
  11. Web site: Wasim . Umaid . 2016-04-13 . Saqib hopes to impress during Maldives stint . 2024-05-30 . DAWN.COM . en.
  12. Web site: Reporter . The Newspaper's Sports . 2016-02-02 . SSGC top group, Asim hits treble for Railways . 2024-05-30 . DAWN.COM . en.
  13. Web site: Reporter . The Newspaper's Sports . 2016-02-18 . Omar’s shootout heroics put NBP into PFF Cup semis . 2024-05-30 . DAWN.COM . en.
  14. Web site: Raheel . Natasha . 2016-08-10 . Budapest beckons: Saadullah ready to live Hungarian dream . 2023-07-12 . The Express Tribune . en.
  15. Web site: natasha.raheel . 2016-09-21 . Saadullah expecting call from Hungarian club . 2024-05-30 . The Express Tribune . en.
  16. https://mihaaru.com/local_sports/28524 ތިން ވަނަ ޑިވިޝަނުގެ ޗެމްޕިއަންކަން ސިފައިން ހޯދައިފި
  17. Web site: 2019-02-20 . Persib Bandung Bantah Akan Kontrak Penyerang Asal Pakistan Goal.com Indonesia . 2023-07-12 . www.goal.com . id.
  18. Web site: 2022-08-29 . Top footballers set to move Supreme Court after SSGC terminates contracts - Sports - SAMAA . 2024-06-23 . web.archive.org.
  19. Web site: 2009-12-01 . AFC U-19 Championship shifted to Tehran . 2024-02-05 . Brecorder . en.
  20. Web site: 2009-11-14 . PFF names Gohar as Pakistan U-19 coach . 2024-02-05 . The Nation . en-US.
  21. Web site: 2009-11-14 . Gohar Zaman appointed U-19 football team coach . 2024-02-05 . Brecorder . en.
  22. Web site: Strack-Zimmermann . Benjamin . Pakistan vs. Afghanistan . 2024-02-05 . www.national-football-teams.com . en.
  23. Web site: 2015-09-26 . 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Yemen-Pakistan . 2024-02-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150926024900/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=275167/match=300311252/report.html . 26 September 2015 .
  24. Web site: 2015-09-26 . 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Pakistan-Yemen . 2024-02-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150926013736/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=275167/match=300315758/report.html . 26 September 2015 .
  25. Web site: Saadullah - Soccer player profile & career statistics - Global Sports Archive . 2024-02-06 . globalsportsarchive.com.
  26. Web site: 11 October 2017 . FIFA suspends the Pakistan Football Federation . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171011181900/http://www.fifa.com/governance/news/y=2017/m=10/news=fifa-suspends-the-pakistan-football-federation-2913299.html . 11 October 2017 . FIFA.
  27. News: Din . Tusdiq . Three years without any football - can Pakistan recover? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230628222820/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45390976 . 28 June 2023 . 2023-06-28 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  28. Web site: natasha.raheel . 2017-07-15 . Save us footballers: Saadullah requests PFF, FIFA . 2024-05-30 . The Express Tribune . en.
  29. Web site: Pak players want payment for Leisure Leagues matches . 2024-05-30 . www.thenews.com.pk . en.
  30. Web site: Riaz, Hassan strikes help Ronaldinho win series . 2024-05-30 . www.thenews.com.pk . en.
  31. Web site: Reporter . The Newspaper's Sports . 2018-09-01 . Pakistan squad named for SAFF Cup . 2024-02-05 . DAWN.COM . en.
  32. Web site: Reporter . The Newspaper's Sports . 2020-01-23 . Pakistan hold on for 2-2 draw against Malaysian club . 2024-05-30 . DAWN.COM . en.
  33. Web site: Reporter . The Newspaper's Sports . 2020-01-24 . Pakistan end Malaysia tour on a winning high . 2024-05-30 . DAWN.COM . en.
  34. Web site: Reporter . The Newspaper's Sports . 2022-09-11 . Saddam excluded as PFF NC announces shortlist for national team . 2024-05-30 . DAWN.COM . en.
  35. Web site: NC names 36 players selected for national camp . 2024-05-30 . www.thenews.com.pk . en.
  36. Web site: 2023-05-15 . Pakistani footballer Saadullah Khan makes history . 2023-12-14 . Geo.tv . en.
  37. Web site: Fatima . Noor . 2023-05-16 . Footballer Saadullah Khan becomes first Pakistani to complete UEFA coaching course . 2023-12-14 . gnnhd.tv . en-US.
  38. Web site: Saadullah - Soccer player profile & career statistics - Global Sports Archive . 2024-01-10 . globalsportsarchive.com.
  39. Web site: S. Khan . Soccerway . 24 March 2015.