Karachi United
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| Full name | Karachi United Football Club | ||
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| Short name | KUFC | ||
| Founded | 1996 | ||
| Ground | Karachi United Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 | ||
| Coordinates | 24°48′51.3″N 67°00′05.5″E / 24.814250°N 67.001528°E | ||
| Manager | Shaikh Hamdan | ||
| League | Pakistan Premier League | ||
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Karachi United Football Club is a Pakistani professional football club based in Clifton, Karachi. Karachi United competed in the Karachi Football League, one of the top leagues of Karachi. It currently competes in the Pakistan Premier League, the top tier of the Pakistani football league system.
Formed in 1996, the club turned professional in 2013. In October 2020, the club was promoted to the Pakistan Premier League for the first time, courtesy of a second-place finish in the 2020 PFF League.[1] It therefore made its top-flight debut in the 2021 Pakistan Premier League.[2]
They were also members of the Karachi Football League, a semi-professional regional competition. Club has also competed in the 2016 PFF Cup, the highest football level in Pakistan that year. They reached the quarter-finals, in which they were defeated by PIA FC.
Karachi United uses the 2,000-capacity Karachi United Stadium for most of their home games.[3] The team is sponsored by Engro Corporation.[4][5]
History
Formation and growth
The club was formed in 1996 by Taha Alizai in Karachi. It started its youth academy in 2001. This was followed by the launch of the Karachi Football League and the Schools Championship in 2003 and 2005, respectively. Club initiated its youth summer camp in 2009, and the next year it launched community program, as well as the women division. Club acquired its own stadium in 2015.[6]
As of 2021, it has established 12 community centers in Karachi which cater to over 1,000 children,[7] including 200 girls. In these centers, the club provides free football coaching to kids from underprivileged communities, with educational and health assistance. It also employs full-time staff members which include community administrator, program manager, fundraising manager, brand manager, academy manager, social media manager, and about 150 coaches. Some of the coaches are from the local communities while others are former national team players.[8]
Turning professional
In 2013, Karachi United launched their professional team to compete in Pakistan's second football tier. They made their debut in the departmental phase of the 2013 PFF League. They ended first in the group and advanced to the final phase where they finished last.
In 2014, the club participated in the departmental phase of the 2014 PFF League. They finished bottom of group C, failing to win both of their matches.
In the 2020 PFF League, Karachi United finished at the top of group A and advanced to the final phase, where they finished second, and thus after a struggle of many years, were finally promoted to the Pakistan Premier League.[9][10]
Karachi United made its top-flight debut in the 2021 Pakistan Premier League.
Rivalries
Karachi United has a rivalry with Masha United with which they have the United Derby. The derby started in 2020 PFF League, where the match ended in a tie.
Crest and colours
Karachi United's colours are red, white and black. White is used as the away colour. The club represents Teen Talwar on their logo, as it is one of the most popular monuments in the city of Karachi.
Youth teams
Manchester United tour
In July 2004, Karachi United became the first team from Pakistan to visit one of the premier football clubs of the world when its 14-member under-15 youth academy team went on a week-long tour to the Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) in Manchester,[11] a trip sponsored by ABN Amro. The team was coached by a Manchester United coach for a week, and also played three matches against local opposition. The players took part in seminars relating to diet and on other football-related subjects. The team visited the Manchester United first team training at their facility at Carrington, where it spent time in the company of manager Alex Ferguson, assistant manager Carlos Queiroz (former manager of Real Madrid), and players such as Roy Keane, Alan Smith, and Rio Ferdinand.[12]
Charlton Athletic academy call-ups
In July 2006, two youth academy players Atif Sachak and Kareem Kerai, were selected for a pre-season two-week academy and community programmes at Premier League club's Charlton Athletic youth academy in a bid to enhance their football skills.[13] A few days later, both the players were drafted into Charlton's under-13 side for a match against a visiting American club.[13]
Qatar tours
In September 2008, the youth team was invited to Qatar on a week-long tour to play matches against the youth teams of Al-Ahli and Al Sadd, as well as train at the prestigious Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence.[14] The tour was a successful one, with Karachi United winning 3-1 against Al-Ahli's U-17 team. They also drew 2-2 against Al Sadd.[15]
In September 2011, it was invited again to Qatar on a five-day tour to train and play matches versus Aspire Academy, Al Sadd and other local clubs.[16] The highlight of the tour was a 2-2 draw against Aspire Academy, which is considered one of the world’s top schools for sporting excellence.[17]
Barcelona tour
In February 2017, Karachi United became the first Pakistani club to tour Spanish giants FC Barcelona.[18] During their week long tour, the Karachi United squad, comprising 53 people (44 players and 9 officials), was given six coaching sessions by coaches from FCB, where they learnt about the FCB training philosophy and their values. The squad was housed at the Marcet Fundacion, a renowned Catalonian youth set-up through whose ranks came players such as Keylor Navas. During their stay, Karachi United’s four teams (two under-13 teams, with one of the teams comprising both boys and girls, and two under-16) played over 15 matches against local opposition. The squad also visited La Masia, the famed FC Barcelona Youth Academy and observed a number of the FCB youth boys and girls teams' matches. Having earlier also visited the FCB Museum and Camp Nou, they wrapped up their tour by watching FC Barcelona beat Leganes 2-1 in La Liga, courtesy of a late Lionel Messi penalty.[19]
Aspire bilateral series
KU's youth team was invited to play a four-match bilateral series against Aspire Academy in Doha in March 2019. The under-12 side managed to win all four matches in the series, grabbing a 4-2 win in the first game and winning the second and third fixtures 4-0. It won the fourth match 5-3 on penalty shootout after a goalless draw. The under-11 team won their first game 4-1, but lost their second and third fixtures 3-4 and 1-2. It won the fourth match 3-0, and was thus awarded the series victory, courtesy of aggregate results.[20][21][22]
Aspire tri-series Football Tournament
In November 2019, KU was yet again invited by the Aspire Academy to participate in a tri-series football tournament. KU bagged the tri-series title in U-12 and U-11 categories by winning against Turkish club Fenerbahce SK and Aspire Academy, respectively.[8]
Aspire Friendly Series 2023
In March 2023, KU was once again invited by the Aspire Academy to Doha for a 5 day tour to participate in a 3-match friendly series between the U-11 and U-12 teams. KU won the series in the U-12 category by 2-1, and lost in the U-11 category by 1-2.[23] Karachi United also visited the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium where they watched Al Sadd in the Emir Cup.
Players
Current squad
- As of 1 January 2024[24]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Women's team
The women's team was established in 2010, with the goal of creating a national team capable of representing the nation at the FIFA Women's World Cup.[25] In September 2016, the women's team represented Pakistan at the International Women's Football Cultural Festival in Berlin. [26]
The Women's team finished as runners-up at the 2019-20 National Women Football Championship, and were in the semi-finals of the 2021 National Women Football Championship before the tournament was cancelled.
Current squad
- As of 1 January 2024[24]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Personnel
Current technical staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Men's team manager |  Shaikh Hamdan
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| Men's team assistant manager | Daniyal Naeem
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| Goalkeeper coach | Meer Sohrab
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| Video analyst | Ismail Farooq
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| Academy manager | Najeeb Ullah
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| Women's team manager | Saima Baig
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| Women's team assistant manager | Shahnawaz Gul
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| Director of football operations | Taha Alizai
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| Director of youth and academy | Imran Ali
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| Director of football development | Ali Ata
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References
- ^ Wasim, Umaid (26 October 2020). "Karachi United fulfill long-time PPFL ambition". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "PPFL to begin in Multan from August 14". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "KARACHI UNITED". Unique Khazana. 26 February 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Siddiqi (19 March 2021). "Engro becomes Karachi United's Official Team Sponsor". Trade Chronicle. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "Engro becomes Karachi United's official team sponsor". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "Karachi United". karachiunited.com. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Engro becomes Karachi United's official team sponsor". Global Village Space. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Karachi United: passing on hope with football". Gulf-Times (in Arabic). 25 November 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Editorial Staff (26 October 2020). "Karachi United fulfill long-time PPFL ambition [Dawn]". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 3 November 2020.
- ^ Editorial Staff (25 October 2020). "Karachi Utd, Gwadar Port Authority promoted to PPFL". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 3 November 2020.
- ^ "Manchester United open their doors for Pakistani club". DAWN.COM. 6 June 2004. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "Karachi United Football Club visits Manchester United". Brecorder. 3 September 2004. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ a b Ali, Shazad (6 August 2006). "Pakistani kids to represent Premier League club". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Hasan, Shazia (28 September 2008). "Karachi United youth team to tour Qatar". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Hasan, Shazia (19 October 2008). "Karachi United impress on Qatar soccer tour". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Editorial Staff (16 September 2011). "Karachi United Academy to tour Qatar". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Editorial Staff (10 October 2011). "Karachi United return from successful Qatar trip". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "Karachi United to tour FC Barcelona". Daily Times. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "Karachi United make a dream visit to FC Barcelona - Samaa TV". Samaa.tv. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
- ^ "Karachi United's colts living the dream at Aspire Academy". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "Karachi United's young footballers make Pakistan proud with an international win | SAMAA". Samaa TV. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Khilari. "Karachi United win over Qatar National Football Academy in bilateral 4 matches series - Khilari". www.khilari.com.pk. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Adil, Hafsa. "From gang wars and drug lords to football fields". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Karachi United". globalsportsarchive.com. Global Sports Archive. 9 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
- ^ "Karachi United". Karachiunited.com. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ Bashir, Omer (22 November 2016). "Karachi United's women football team is transcending borders and kick-starting a revolution". Dawn.com. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
External links
- Karachi United on Facebook
- Karachi United on Instagram
- Karachi United on Twitter
- Karachi United on TikTok
- Women's Team Karachi United on Facebook
- Women's Team Karachi United on Instagram
- Karachi United FC at Soccerway
- Karachi United at Global Sports Archive