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==International career==
==International career==
Aslam was part of the Bangladesh team for [[1978 AFC Youth Championship]], which was the first ever international football tournament held in Dhaka in 1978. In Dec. 1980, Aslam played for the U-19 national team during the [[1980 AFC Youth Championship]] qualifiers, held in [[Dhaka]]. [[Abdus Salam Murshedy|Salam Murshedy]] was his striker partner, while other members of the team included, Lal Mohammad (GK), Alok, Ajmat, Sawpan, Imtiaz Johny, Hassanuzzamn Bablu, [[Ashish Bhadra]], Anwar, Gaffar, [[Khandoker Wasim Iqbal|Wasim Iqbal]], Mossabbir, all of whom later went on to accompany Aslam in the national. The U-19 team did well and finished runners up (behind Qatar) and qualified for the main event. The highlight of the tournament from Bangladesh was the hat trick by Aslam in a 5-1 drubbing of Nepal.
Aslam was part of the [[Bangladesh national under-20 football team|Bangladesh U-20]] team at the [[1978 AFC Youth Championship]], which was the first ever international football tournament held in Dhaka in 1978. In Dec. 1980, Aslam played for the U-19 national team during the [[1980 AFC Youth Championship]] qualifiers, held in [[Dhaka]]. [[Abdus Salam Murshedy|Salam Murshedy]] was his striker partner, while other members of the team included, Lal Mohammad (GK), Alok, Ajmat Ali, Sawpan, Imtiaz Sultan Johny, Hassanuzzamn Bablu, [[Ashish Bhadra]], Anwar, Gaffar, [[Khandoker Wasim Iqbal|Wasim Iqbal]], Mossabbir, all of whom later went on to accompany Aslam in the national. The U-19 team did well and finished runners up (behind Qatar) and qualified for the main event. The highlight of the tournament from Bangladesh was the hat trick by Aslam in a 5-1 drubbing of Nepal.


Since then he became an essential member of the Bangladesh team in international football both in senior and youth level. Making his senior team debut by participating in the [[Football at the 1978 Asian Games|1978 Asian Games]], held in [[Bangkok]]. In 1979, he played against [[Sri Lanka national football team|Sri Lanka]] as the youngest player in the national team, during the 9th [[Korea Cup]] football held in [[Seoul]]. He scored the equalizer with a left-footed shot while trailing 0-1. This was his first goal in senior international football and on foreign soil, Bangladesh won the game 3-1. In March 1981, Aslam and the other members of the youth team participated in the first ever edition of the [[Bangladesh President's Gold Cup|President's Gold Cup]], as the Bangladesh(Red)team. The team reached the finals after beating a North Korea side in penalties (after a 1–1 draw); but lost 2-0 to [[Korea University|South Korea University]] in the final.<ref name="auto2"/>
Since then he became an essential member of the Bangladesh team in international football both in senior and youth level. Making his senior team debut by participating in the [[Football at the 1978 Asian Games|1978 Asian Games]], held in [[Bangkok]]. In 1979, he played against [[Sri Lanka national football team|Sri Lanka]] as the youngest player in the national team, during the 9th [[Korea Cup]] football held in [[Seoul]]. He scored the equalizer with a left-footed shot while trailing 0-1. This was his first goal in senior international football and on foreign soil, Bangladesh won the game 3-1. In March 1981, Aslam and the other members of the youth team participated in the first ever edition of the [[Bangladesh President's Gold Cup|President's Gold Cup]], as the Bangladesh(Red)team. The team reached the finals after beating a North Korea side in penalties (after a 1–1 draw); but lost 2-0 to [[Korea University|South Korea University]] in the final.<ref name="auto2"/>

Revision as of 11:39, 20 September 2022

Mohammad Aslam
Personal information
Full name Sheikh Mohammad Aslam
Date of birth (1958-03-01) 1 March 1958 (age 66)[1]
Place of birth Khulna, Bangladesh
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1977–1980 Victoria SC 56 (14)
1980–1982 Team BJMC 67 (30)
1983 Mohammedan SC 12 (7)
1984–1991 Dhaka Abahani 123 (97)
1991 East Bengal 18* (1)
1991–1992 Dhaka Abahani 19 (6)
1993 Mohammedan SC 18 (7)
1994–1996 Dhaka Abahani 36 (16)
Total 349 (178)
International career
1978–1980 Bangladesh U19 12 (3*)
1978–1991 Bangladesh 68 (14[2])
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mohammad Aslam (Template:Lang-bn), popularly known as Aslam, is a former Bangladeshi footballer. He played as a specialist striker and was one of the most lethal marksmen in the Dhaka domestic league during the 1980s and 1990s. He gained his greatest fame while playing for Abahani Krira Chakra, one of Dhaka's two major football clubs. He was a linchpin of several league-winning Abahani sides, and was the league's leading scorer several times.[3][1]

With scored 177 career goals in the Dhaka League, Aslam is the all time top scorer in Dhaka football history. He also has 38 international goals for club and country, although many of them came during unofficial matches and are unrecorded. Aslam has 14 official international goals for the Bangladesh national football team during his long 13-years spell representing his country.[4][5] He is said of have scored more than 300 goals in domestic and international football combined.[6]

He later worked for the Bangladesh Football Federation after retiring.[7][8][9]

Club career

Early days

Aslam first came to Dhaka to participate in the 100m run, long jump and javelin throw events for the Team BJMC athletics team, in 1976. Along with athletics he got involved with football, starting his journey in 1974 for Town Club in the Khulna Second Division Football League. The next year he played for Bangladesh WAPDA, and earned promotion to the First Division Football League as the runner-up. While playing for WAPDA in 1976, he managed to attract interest from Dhaka's top-tier.[1]

In 1977, Aslam joined Victoria SC in the Dhaka League. Although Aslam had started his career at the club as a defender, it was Abdur Rahim, the shrewd coach of Victoria, who saw the potential of a striker in him, and changed his position in 1979. After three years at the club, he moved to Team BJMC, in 1980. Aslam came into the limelight with 13 goals for BJMC in his debut year, falling two goals short of becoming the leagues top scorer. He was the captain of BJMC in 1981, and spent another year at the club before making his big move to Mohammedan SC, in 1983. Nonetheless, after a injury hit season, Mohammedan officials decided to release Aslam, with Aslam scoring 7 goals during his lone season at the club. In 1984, Aslam was snatched up by Mohammedan's arch-rivals Abahani Krira Chakra.[10]

Glory with Abahani

Aslam reached the zenith of his career while playing for Abahani, as from 1984 till 1987, Aslam was Dhaka League's top goal scorer for a record 4 consecutive seasons. During this time, he had Kazi Salahuddin, Samrat Hossain Emily, PremLal and Karim Allawi as his striker partner at different stages. He scored 17 goals in 1984, 18 goals in 1985, 20 goals in 1986, 14 goals in 1987 and 17 goals in 1988. His record was later broken by Muktijoddha SKC captain Imtiaz Ahmed Nakib. In the 1989-90 season, he scored 11 goals and set a new record of becoming the top scorer five times, he extended the record the following year. From 1984 to 1988-89 season, he achieved the rare feat of scoring a hat-trick in each league for five consecutive seasons. He scored 103 goals for Abahani in seven consecutive seasons till 1991-92 season. Aslam won three league trophies alongside a hattrick of Federation Cup (from 1985 to 1988), during his first spell at the club.[1]

On of Aslam's most memorable goals came during the 1986 Federation Cup semi-finals against Mohammedan. Abahani trailed 3-4, before Aslam levelled the score by dribbling past three of Mohammedan's defenders and curling a right-footed shot into the net. PremLal scored a hat-trick in the game as, Abahani won the 8-5 in penalties. In 1987, during the league deciding match against Mohammedan, Abahani needed a single point to clinch the title, and although Aslam scored Abahani ended up losing 3–2. With Abahani and Mohammedan tied at the top with equal points, a play off match was required. On 9 September 2022, three days after their previous encounter, the title deciding game between Abahani-Mohammedan got underway, the high-voltage ended 0–0. After the game ended, players and officials from both teams agreed to be crowned joint-champions, in order to prevent fans from attacking players. However, the BFF did not accept the players agreement and decided to hold a 2nd play-off match. Both captains Aslam & Mohammedan's Ranjit Saha, were given a 1 year ban, and without their talismanic forward Aslam, Abahani suffered a 2–0 defeat in the final play off match, preventing Aslam from winning three consecutive league titles and Abahani their fourth in a row.[11]

In 1990, In the three-and-a-half-decade history of India's Sait Nagjee Football Tournament, Abahani became the first foreign team to win the tournament. In the first match, Abahani won 1-0 against Kerala club champions Travancore Titanium, Aslam scored in the 80th minute of the game, receiving Ranjith's ball with his chest and beating the goalkeeper with a sharp volley. In the double league semi-final against Goa champions MRF in the 32nd minute, Kazi Kamal's free kick inside the opposition box was superbly maneuvered by Aslam who scored with a header. In the second match of the semi-final against MRF, Abahani reached the final when "Choto" Munna scored from Aslam's cross. In the final, Abahani took on India's Federation Cup champions, Salgaocar FC, with Aslam scoring the lone goal.[12]

During Abahani's 1991 BTC Clubs Cup triumph, they managed to defeat Indian giants East Bengal Club. He also scored against arch-rivals Dhaka Mohammedan during the Abahani's road to the final. Aslam was named the best player of the tournament with 3 goals in 4 matches, thus, attracting interest from abroad. And as the Dhaka League was not held in 1991, East Bengal Club sign Aslam along with his teammates Monem Munna and Rizvi Karim Rumi, for the 1991 Calcutta Football League.[13] After a few months in India, Aslam returned to Abahani, towards the end of 1991. He was the captain of Abahani in 1987 and 1988-89 seasons. In 1993, he ended his first spell at the club by returning to Dhaka Mohammedan SC.[1]

Calcutta League career

He also played for East Bengal in the Calcutta Football League in 1991, but failed to make a huge impact due to a head injury he suffered against George Telegraph SC in the 1991 Durand Cup. His first goal for the club also came during the same match he got injured. Aslam's stint with the club lasted a few months, after he only managed one goal during the entirety of the league.[14] Regarding his fatal injury, Aslam said during an interview, "After scoring a goal against George Telegraph, their goalkeeper hit me so hard that I passed out. I was taken to the hospital." [15]

Return to Abahani

After a falling off with Abahani authorities, Aslam joined Mohammedan in 1993 and scored 7 goals during his year long spell at the club. He returned to Abahani in 1994 and scored 16, again becoming league top scorer. Aside from Khurshid Alam Babul, Aslam is the only player to win seven Dhaka League trophies. In the mid-nineties, many star players started leaving Bangladesh's top three clubs Mohammedan SC, Abahani and Brothers Union for Muktijoddha SKC, due to the clubs forming a gentlemen's agreement to lower the players salaries. However, Aslam alongside Monem Munna stayed at Abahani, winning them the league title again in 1982. In 1994, Aslam scored the lone goal as, Abahani defeated East Bengal Club in the finals of India's Charms Cup.[1]

Alsam left a huge mark in continental football for Abahani, scoring a hattrick as, Abahani defeated India's Gurkha Brigade 4-1 in the DCM Trophy in New Delhi in 1984. Aslam's hat-trick helped Abahani beat Club Valencia from Maldives 8-1, in the 1985–86 Asian Club Championship held in Colombo. With 9 goals for Abahani during the tournament, he became the highest scorer jointly with PremLal of Saunders SC of Sri Lanka. He scored 9 goals in 1995 and 7 in 1996 which was his last year playing as a professional. Aslam hung up his boots in 1996, ending his illustrious league career with 177 goals in domestic football in Dhaka.[1][4]

International career

Aslam was part of the Bangladesh U-20 team at the 1978 AFC Youth Championship, which was the first ever international football tournament held in Dhaka in 1978. In Dec. 1980, Aslam played for the U-19 national team during the 1980 AFC Youth Championship qualifiers, held in Dhaka. Salam Murshedy was his striker partner, while other members of the team included, Lal Mohammad (GK), Alok, Ajmat Ali, Sawpan, Imtiaz Sultan Johny, Hassanuzzamn Bablu, Ashish Bhadra, Anwar, Gaffar, Wasim Iqbal, Mossabbir, all of whom later went on to accompany Aslam in the national. The U-19 team did well and finished runners up (behind Qatar) and qualified for the main event. The highlight of the tournament from Bangladesh was the hat trick by Aslam in a 5-1 drubbing of Nepal.

Since then he became an essential member of the Bangladesh team in international football both in senior and youth level. Making his senior team debut by participating in the 1978 Asian Games, held in Bangkok. In 1979, he played against Sri Lanka as the youngest player in the national team, during the 9th Korea Cup football held in Seoul. He scored the equalizer with a left-footed shot while trailing 0-1. This was his first goal in senior international football and on foreign soil, Bangladesh won the game 3-1. In March 1981, Aslam and the other members of the youth team participated in the first ever edition of the President's Gold Cup, as the Bangladesh(Red)team. The team reached the finals after beating a North Korea side in penalties (after a 1–1 draw); but lost 2-0 to South Korea University in the final.[1]

Aslam was one of the youngest players in the Bangladesh squad during the 1980 AFC Asian Cup in Kuwait, which was the country's first time participating in Asia's biggest football tournament, after qualifying with their first attempt. In 1982, He was the vice-captain for Bangladesh during the Quaid-e-Azam Smriti tournament in Pakistan and was also part of Bangladesh team in 1982 Asian Games, held in Delhi, India. He was a integral part of the Bangladesh Red team during 1983 President's Gold Cup, scoring once apiece against South Korea XI and Nepal. During the 1984 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, Aslam struck goals against both Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand, although, Bangladesh failed to qualify for the main tournament.[1]

In subcontinental tournaments, Aslam's partnership with Ashrafuddin Chunnu was lethal, and during the 1984 South Asian Games, Aslam's goals against Maldives and Bhutan, saw favorites Bangladesh reach the finals, only to be knocked out by hosts Nepal. The subsequent year a star studded Bangladesh team took part in the 1985 South Asian Games, in hunt for their first international trophy. Aslam helped Bangladesh cruise through the group-stage, scoring a brace during a 8-0 thrashing of Maldives. In the final against India, Aslam scored a spectacular long-range goal, nonetheless, luck was not on his side once more as Bangladesh were defeated on penalties.[16] India's goalkeeper during the game Atanu Bhattacharya later told Aslam during his time at East Bengal, "Dada, you have ended my career!"[17]

Aslam's strike in the 1986 Asian Games against Nepal, gave Bangladesh their only its second ever victory in the competition. On 27 February 1989, Aslam scored a bullet header for Bangladesh against Iran, during the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Nonetheless, Bangladesh failed to make it memorable draw, as Rumman Wali Sabbir missed a crucial penalty towards the end of the game.[18] During the 6th President's Gold Cup Football final, Aslam's scored the equalizer against Korea University, as the game ended 1-1, with Bangladesh winning the title on penalties.[19] Aslam was left out of the Bangladesh squad by Iranian coach Nasser Hejazi for the 1989 South Asian Games, a decision which was criticized by both media and fans.[20] The 1991 South Asian Games was Aslam's last ever tournament for Bangladesh, as his illustrious career with his country ended without a trophy. He scored his last international goal for his country during the tournament against Nepal.[16]

Sheikh Aslam Important goals in his career
Match Teams Goals Result
Charity Match 1979 (Dhaka) Mohammedan Sporting Club* vs Mohammedan S.C. (Kolkata) 1 1-1
AFC Youth Championship Qualifier 1980 (Dhaka) Bangladesh Vs Nepal 3 (Hattrick) Bangladesh won 5-1
3rd President's Gold Cup 1983 (Dhaka) Bangladesh (Red)** Vs South Korea XI 2 2-2
SAFF Games Final 1985 (Dhaka) Bangladesh Vs India 1 1-1 (India won gold after a tie-breaker)
Asian Club Championship (Final) 1985–86 (Jeddah) Abahani Vs Club Valencia (Maldives) 3 Abahani won 8-1
4th President's Gold Cup 1986 (Dhaka) Bangladesh (Red) Vs TPS Turku (Finland) 3 (Hattrick) Bangladesh(Red) won 3-1
IFA Shield 1986 (Calcutta) Abahani Vs Mohammedan S.C. (Kolkata) 1 Calcutta MSC won 2-1
World Cup Qualifier 1989 (Dhaka) Bangladesh Vs Iran 1 Iran won 2-1
6th President's Gold Cup (Final) 1989 (Dhaka) Bangladesh (Red) Vs South Korea University 1 1-1 Bangladesh (Red) won the title after a tie breaker
Sait Nagjee Football Tournament (Final) 1989 (Kerala) Abahani Vs Salgaocar FC (India) 1 Abahani won 1-0
BTC Clubs Cup (Final)1994 (Dhaka) Abahani Vs East Bengal Club (India) 1 1-0
  • Aslam was a Victoria SC player at the time. But since this was a charity match, Victoria authorities gave him permission to play for the Mohammedan Sporting Club.
    • In 1983, 1986 and 1989, Bangladesh (Red) represented the main national team.

International goals

Scores and results list Bangladesh's goal tally first.[2]
Key
‡ = Unofficial Fixture
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 14 September 1979 Cheongju Stadium, Cheongju  Sri Lanka 3–1 Korea Cup
– 1 September 1983 Dhaka South Korea South Korea XI ‡ 2–2 Unofficial Friendly
2. 5 September 1983    Nepal 4–2 Bangladesh President's Gold Cup
– 16 September 1983 Kuala Lumpur Argentina Primera B Metropolitana XI ‡ 2–5 Unofficial Friendly
3. 9 August 1984 Senayan Stadium, Jakarta  Indonesia 1–2 1–2 AFC Asian Cup Qualification
4. 13 August 1984 Sriwedari Stadium, Solo  Philippines 2–1 3–2
5. 15 August 1984  Thailand 1–0 1–2
6. 18 September 1984 Kathmandu  Bhutan 2–0 SA Games
7. 19 September 1984  Maldives 5–0
8.
9. 23 December 1985 Dhaka 8–0
10.
11. 25 December 1985  India 1(1)–1(4)
– 20 January 1986 Switzerland FC Vevey United ‡ 1–3 Unofficial Friendly
– 24 January 1986 Finland Turun Palloseura‡ 1–1 3–1
– 2–1
– 3–1
12. 26 September 1986 Daejeon Stadium, Daejeon    Nepal 1–0 1–0 Asian Games
13. 27 February 1989 Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka  Iran 1–2 1–2 FIFA World Cup Qualification
– 21 May 1989 Thailand Thailand B ‡ 1–1 Unofficial Friendly
– 31 May 1989 South Korea Korea University ‡ 1–0 1(4)–1(3)
14. 28 December 1991 Colombo Nepal Nepal 2–0 SA Games

Legacy and personal life

In 1986, Aslam got married to Mona Marjan, after scoring a hattrick against Wari Club in a league game.[21]

He was selected as the best footballer by Bangladesh Sports Writers Association in 1984 and by National Sports Council in 1998. In 1997, on the occasion of Silver Jubilee, Bangladesh Football Federation selected the best XI of post-independence Bangladesh and in 2005, he was one of the 10 footballers honored by the football federation.[1] In 2000, Aslam was awarded the National Sports Award.[22]

Style of play

Aslam was known for his bullet headers and movement inside the penalty box. He scored many long-range strikes for his club and country, Aslam heading ability was due to his early days with the Team BJMC athletic team, along with that Aslam also played volleyball before pursuing football as a profession.[1]

Honours

Dhaka Abahani
Mohammedan SC
East Bengal Club

Awards and accolades

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "ফুটবলার আসলামের আসলাম হয়ে ওঠার গল্প".
  2. ^ a b "বাংলাদেশ জাতীয় ফুটবল দলের জার্সীতে স্ট্রাইকার আসলামের ২৪ গোলের অতুলোনীয় কীর্তি | Kiron's Sports Desk".
  3. ^ [1](President Gold Cup Football, Dhaka) (Retrieved on 2016-06-03)
  4. ^ a b প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব. "গোল নিয়ে যত গোলমাল". Prothomalo.
  5. ^ "Bangladeshi football's golden boy". Asian Image.
  6. ^ "Aslam: Hard work will make you a good striker, not facebooking". Dhaka Tribune. 31 March 2018.
  7. ^ "Football season kicks-off on September 10"
  8. ^ Probe committee submits report to BFF chief
  9. ^ Reporter, Sports (22 February 2016). "Aslam blasts BFF, Mamunul". The Daily Star.
  10. ^ "'এটাই এখন আমাদের ফুটবলের স্ট্যান্ডার্ড'". jagonews24.com.
  11. ^ ইকবাল, নাইর. "আবাহনী-মোহামেডানের 'সন্ধি' হয়েছিল যেদিন". Prothomalo.
  12. ^ "আকাশি-নীলের উত্থান". উৎপল শুভ্র :: Utp al Shuvro.
  13. ^ তপন, নাজমুল হক. "স্বাধীনতার ৫০ বছর: ভারত জয় করে আবাহনীর ফেরা". bdnews24.
  14. ^ "রাজা এবার ছাড়ো গদি! ইস্টবেঙ্গলের দুর্দশায় পদ্মাপাড় থেকেই গর্জে উঠলেন আসলাম".
  15. ^ মজুমদার, কৃশানু. "'ক্লাবের হয়ে রক্ত ঝরিয়েছি, ইস্টবেঙ্গল মনেই রাখেনি', আক্ষেপ সেই বাংলাদেশি গোলমেশিনের". www.anandabazar.com.
  16. ^ a b Blitz, Desk (2 May 2021). "SAFF Games gold medal, an illusion for the Bangladesh team". {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  17. ^ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব. "বাংলাদেশের ফুটবলে সেই সব সোনালি গোল". Prothomalo.
  18. ^ ইকবাল, নাইর. "যে ম্যাচগুলো 'আফসোস' বাংলাদেশের ফুটবলে". Prothomalo.
  19. ^ "লাল দলের রাঙিয়ে দেওয়া প্রেসিডেন্ট গোল্ড কাপ ফুটবল". উৎপল শুভ্র :: Utp al Shuvro.
  20. ^ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব. "একটা সোনা জিততে ১৫ বছর...কেন?". Prothomalo.
  21. ^ "হবু স্ত্রীর চ্যালেঞ্জে হ্যাটট্রিক, ইজতেমায় বিয়ে ফুটবলার আসলামের". jagonews24.com.
  22. ^ "Aslam to put national award medal on auction". Dhaka Tribune. 12 May 2020.
  23. ^ "Aslam reminisces glory days of football". theindependentbd.com. The Independent Bangladesh. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
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