Bangladeshi footballer
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 Bangladesh Premier League club Abahani Limited Dhaka.[2][3]
Club career
Early career
In 2014, Jafar scored six goals in three matches for Agrabad Comrades in the Chittagong Second Division League. Jafar won the Top Scorer Player Award as his team clinched the league title. He then proceeded to score 13 goals for Motherbari Sobhoniya Club in the Chittagong Pioneer League.[4]
Jafar also participated in the BFF U-18 Development Cup with Feni SC before coach Syed Golam Jilani arranged his move to Dilkusha SC in the Dhaka Third Division League in 2015. He scored 9 goals, including a hat-trick, which helped Dilkusha secure the league championship.
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 Premier League.[5] Jafar scored a cracker against Team BJMC in the semi-final of 2016 Federation Cup and helped his team to reach up in the final.[6] His combination with Mohammad Abdullah worked superbly for Arambagh KS as they finished the premier league season in sixth position.
Chittagong Abahani
After a successful season with Arambagh KS, in April 2017 Jafar joined the emerging 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 came against relegation threatened Team BJMC.
Saif SC
On 10 December 2019, Jafar joined corporate owned Saif Sporting Club. Nonetheless, 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 Sporting Club 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.[7]
Jafar was ruled out for six week after injuring his knee during a 2021–22 Independence Cup game against Saif SC.[8]
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 headers.[9]
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.[10][11][12]
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.[13] He scored his first goal against Laos on 27 March 2018.
International goals
Bangladesh U20
National team
- Scores and results list Bangladesh's goal tally first.[2]
Honours
Mohammedan SC
Dilkusha SC
Awards
References
