Pre Season no.20

Pre-Season number 20 is under way and we are now in Thailand for a pre-season training camp. We will play 5 friendly games in preparation for the new season which will kick off at the end of August. 

End of season recovery time!!!

After a long season that ended with international duty in Qatar it is time to rest and recharge the batteries ahead of the new season. It was a solid season on a personal note which saw me clock up 30 more game in all competitions. 

1st leg in Cambodia 0-2. Second leg in Qatar

The first leg of the World Cup Qualifiers against Cambodia ended in a late 2-0 defeat, we had several chances to get a crucial away goal but unfortunately could not convert the chances. The second leg game in Qatar will be an opportunity to reverse the result and progress to the groups stages of World Cup Qualification for the 1st time in the history of Pakistan Football. We now have a few days to recover and prepare for that second crucial leg game in Doha, Qatar. 

FIFA World Cup AFC 1st Round Qualifiers v Cambodia over two legs

Always an honour to play for National Team, good workout in Bahrain in preparation of the FIFA World Cup 2022 1st Round AFC Qualifiers against Cambodia. First game will be on the 6th June in Cambodia & the second will be played at the Hamad Bin Kalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar 11th June. 🇵🇰🇧🇭 🇰🇭 🇶🇦 #Qatar2022 #2022WorldCup

FA CUP FINAL

Last weekend we ended the 2018/2019 Season with the FA Cup final against Kitchee at the Hong Kong Stadium, despite having several good chances to win the game we could not get the crucial breakthrough goal, eventually lost the game 2-0. We finished the league campaign in third place and with the defensive record in the top four of the league. 

On a personal note I was pleased to play the most minutes including international fixtures and extend my contract. 
We now look to build on the positives from this season and improve on the league position and hopefully win a trophy or two. I am now away with the National Team for World Cup Qualifier games over two legs against Cambodia in Cambodia and Qatar. 

Last Home game of the season - 3rd place finish

Yesterday we ended the season in 3rd place  and with the FA Cup final to look forward to next weekend. We have been in the top four all season and at one point were genuine title contenders. Hopefully we can build on this next season and fight for the title again. Congratulations to team mate Jim Fai on a fantastic career with Southern District, we are all aiming to win the FA Cup for him to give him some special memories on his last game as a professional footballer. 

GOAL!!! Rare volleyed goal to reach the FA Cup Final

FA Cup Final Place Secured

Yesterday we beat Yuen Long FC 2-0 at the Mong Kok Stadium to secure our place in the FA Cup final against my old club Kitchee on the 25th of May at the Hong Kong Stadium. I was delighted to get the all important first goal yesterday that set us on the way to the final. 

3-1 Victory against Pegaus

Yesterday afternoon we returned to winning ways with a comfortable 3-1 victory against high scoring Pegasus in front of our home fans, we still boast the best defensive record in the league. We have 1 more league game remaining which we all want to win to finish in the top 3 and finish the season with the best defensive record. All attention now switches to the FA Cup semi final next weekend against Yuen Long FC. 

Late 2-1 Defeat against Tai Po

On Sunday afternoon we narrowly lost 2-1 to Tai Po FC in a must win game if we were to challenge for the league title. With two games remaining we can no longer be crowned champions but have the FA Cup semi final to look forward to and continue to boast the best defensive record in the league having conceded 16 goals in 16 games. Hopefully we can finish the season with some silverware, maintain the best defensive record and finish as high up as possible in the table. Huge credit to the players, staff and travelling fans for the effort today. 

1-1 Draw with Ktchee

On Monday night we drew 1-1 against my former club Kitchee at the Mongkok stadium, it was a very even game leaving both teams frustrated at the lost opportunity to gain maximum points. We have 3 league games remaining and still have a chance to win the league if we win the all of the remaining games. We still boast the best defensive record in the league and hopefully we can keep this until the end of the season. We face current league leaders Tai Po away in the next league game which will be a tough game but one we must win if we are to win the league. 

3-3 Draw against Leaders R&F

This afternoon we drew 3-3 with league leaders R&F to keep ourselves in the title race with 5 games remaining. The fans created an excellent atmosphere at the game today. We look forward to another home game next weekend. 

1-1 against Lee Man FC

We drew 1-1 at the weekend against Lee Man at the Tsueng Kwan O Stadium in what was a difficult game.  We remain in second place in the standings with the best defensive record. Next weekend we face RnF in China, a win would secure us spot in first place. 

Sapling Cup 1-1 with Kitchee

Today we drew 1-1 with my former club Kitchee SC in the first group stage game of the Sapling Cup, the competition rules means two players under the age of 22 must play. Our two young players did very well today and should be proud of their performances. 

FIFA Friendly Vs Palestine - Narrow 2-1 defeat

It was great to be back in International duty for the Pakistan National Team, the latest FIFA Friendly took place in Palestine against a very strong team ranked 100 places higher. We put in a very credible performance but unfortunately could not hold for a draw. It was great to see several new players make their debuts, six subs altered the tempo of the game but on the positive side the game gave the team much needed exposure. We now look forward to the next games and to build on this positive performance. The coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for their amazing efforts during the past 7 months. 

1st Defeat of the season 0-2 V Eastern Long lions FC

This afternoon our 100% winning start to the season came to an end against Eastern Long Lions Fc at the Mong Kok stadium. After five games we remain top of the table but will need to improve if we want to stay there. Lots of positives from the game today, we created lots of chances but unfortunately could not put the ball in the back of the net. We now shift our attention to the Community Shield game against Tai Po next weekend. 

4 win from 4!! Perfect start

The perfect start to the 2018-2019 season continued this afternoon at the Mong Kok stadium with a dramatic late victory against Tai Po Fc. The game was won in the 95th minute to round off a dramatic second half in which we were reduced to 10 men. We now look forward to the next league game against Eastern which will be another tough game. 

SAFF CUP 2018 -Semi final defeat 3-1 to India

On Wednesday our SAFF Cup 2018 journey came to an end after a 3-1 defeat to India, we performed very well in the game and unfortunately got punished with two very good counter attacks by India. Overall the players overachieved from the initial pre tournament expectations. Everyone of the players, coaches and PFF official should be proud of themselves for bringing competitive football back to the Nation. I was very pleased with the attitude and willingness to learn of the young players, this is a very positive sign for the future progress of the game in Pakistan. Thank you to hosts Bangladesh and good luck to India and Maldives in the final.

Into the Semi Final of the SAFF Cup

After 13 long years of waiting the Pakistan National Team has reached the semi final of the SAFF Cup, considering there has been no competitive football for 3 years this is an outstanding achievement. The game today against Bhutan was a very convincing 3-0 victory which cemented our place into the Semi Final. We potentially will face India in the semi final which will no doubt be an excellent encounter. 

Bangladesh 1 v 0 Pakistan - 2nd game of the SAFF Cup

last night we faced hosts Bangladesh in the second group stage game of the SAFF Cup in front of an excellent crowd of 25,000 fans. The game was very equal with both teams cancelling each other out, Bangladesh clinched victory in the last five minutes of the game with an own goal from our side. We now face Bhutan in the final game of the group with our fate still very much in our own hands. If we get the victory then we are going to progress to the semi final. 

SAFF CUP 2018 - First game Pakistan 2 v Nepal 1

Yesterday it was great to be back in action for the Pakistan National Team in the 2018 SAFF Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Pakistan National Team has not had any competitive games for 3 years due to a FIFA ban so the morale boosting victory against Nepal was a great way to resume competitive football. We now have a day rest before the next game against the hosts Bangladesh tomorrow in the evening kick off.

NEW SEASON - NEW LOGO - NEW PLAYERS!

I have reported back for pre season training in Hong Kong for my second season with KC Southern District Football Club. During the off season the staff at the club did a wonderful job of creating a fantastic new logo and recruiting excellent new foreign players, who all have experience of playing in Hong Kong which will be a major boost. The first game of the season is in early September so we now have just under two months to prepare and make sure we are in good shape for that first game of the season. 

UEFA PRO LICENCE COMPLETE!

After a gruelling four years of long haul flights, commitment and sacrifice its a wonderful feeling to have finally completed the UEFA Pro Licence with the IFA. I have learned many things from a people with a wealth of knowledge in the game operating around the globe. I would like to thank my club KC Southern District Fc for allowing me to fly back to the UK on several occasions to finish the course. 

LAST GAME OF THE SEASON 3-2 WIN...5TH PLACE FINISH

At the weekend we ended the season with a morale boosting win over Eastern, winning the game 3-2 in the latter stages, we finished the season in 5th place. We reached two semi finals but all felt we could have done better. On a personal note it was good to be back in Hong Kong and I am looking forward to helping us improve in all departments next season. At the end of every season it is important to rest, relax and recharge the batteries. 

KC Southern V Kitchee SC 4-1 defeat

After a run of excellent results we lost 4-1 at home to Kitchee in a game which could have been very different has we converted some chances at crucial moments in the game. Kitchee punished us in the second half and showed why they have the best squad in the league. We will need to take the positives from it and move on ahead of a crucial game next week against Tai Po in the FA Cup semi final at the Mong Kok stadium. 

SUPPORTING CHELSEA ASIAN STAR ON ITS 10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

I am pleased to be supporting Chelsea FC Search for an Asian star campaign for the a 9th consecutive year in a row, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the popular national competition and have also taken a groundbreaking step by allowing female participation. To read more visit the following link:

http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2018/04/asian-star-to-benefit-boys-and-girls.html

KC Southern 1:0 Yuen Long FC - 1/4 FA Cup victory

This afternoon we overcame local rival Yuen Long FC 1-0 in the FA Cup 1/4 final at The Tsuen Kwan O Stadium to progress through to the semi final next month. It was a tough game as it always is against Yuen Long but we showed excellent team spirit and togetherness to get through to the semi final. We have three more league games to go so we will look to finish as strong as possible to make sure we finish as high as possible in the league table. 

RANGERS AWAY 3-0 VICTORY

Yesterday afternoon we put in a very solid display to beat Rangers 3-0, we showed excellent professionalism to make sure we came away with all three points, that was our 4th victory in the last 5 games.  

4-2 Sapling Cup Victory

Despite being out of the Sapling Cup at the group stage we put in an excellent performance in the last group stage game beating RnF 4-2 at the Yuen Long stadium. The result is a good confidence booster ahead of the upcoming away league games we have. 

YUEN LONG LOCAL DERBY NARROW 2-1 DEFEAT

Yesterday we narrowly lost the local derby against Yuen Long FC which was a bitter blow after the victory last week. We have one week to dust ourselves down and prepare for the home game next weekend against lee Man Rangers Fc. 

1-0 WIN - LONG AWAITED VICTORY!

After a series of frustrating draws and narrow defeats we returned to winning ways this weekend with a very solid 1-0 victory against Dreams Sports Club, it was our first home for several months after six consecutive away games so it was pleasing to be able to put a smile on the faces of the fans again. We now have a local derby to look forward to next weekend when we travel to rivals Yuen Long  FC for what promises to be an entertaining clash. 

INTERVIEW WITH LEADING HK FOOTBALL WEBSITE - OFFSIDE HK

I recently did an interview with one of the leading football websites in Hong Kong reflecting on the first half of the season as well as the work of the Zesh Rehman Foundation in the UK and Hong Kong. To read the article visit the following link:

http://www.offside.hk/league/rehman-southern-can-learn-from-the-first-half-of-the-season/