Muhammad Umer

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Muhammad Umer
Umer during his playing days
Personal information
Full name Muhammad Umer Baloch
Date of birth 1935
Place of birth Karachi, Lyari, British India
Date of death (aged 69)
Place of death Karachi, Pakistan
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1948 Qadri Sports
1950 Haroon Sons
1953 KMC
1954 Friends Union
1955 Karachi Kickers
1956 Kemari Mohammedan
1957–1960 Kolkata Mohammedan
1961–1968 Victoria SC
1969 Dilkusha SC
International career
1956–1968 Pakistan
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Muhammad Umer (1935 – 21 March 2004) was a Pakistani professional footballer, who played as a striker. Umer represented the Pakistan national football team from 1956 to 1968, and was the country's 13th international captain.

Early career[edit]

Umer was born in Lyari, Karachi in 1935. Umer began his career in 1948, aged 13, as a goalkeeper for Karachi-based Qadri Sports. However, his attacking ability soon saw him convert into a centre-forward, eventually earning the nickname "Black Horse".[1]

Club career[edit]

In 1950, Umer debuted for Haroon Sons in Karachi's Abu Bakr Tournament against Quetta. In 1954, he toured southern India with Friends Union. During the tour, Umer's team became runners-up in the All-India Chakola Trophy, earning him a spot on Karachi's team for the National Championship in 1955 held in Bahawalpur.[1][2]

His success in the National Championship with Karachi led him to join Karachi Kickers, winning several regional and invitational tournaments. In the same year, he again toured India, earning acclaim for scoring six goals in a game in Ernakulam and achieving a hat-trick in Mysore, as reported by local Indian newspapers.[1]

Umer represented East Pakistan in the National Championship in 1956, and in the same year, went on his third Indian tour with Kemari Mohammedan, finishing runners-up to Hyderabad Police. During the tournament, he also scored eight goals in a single game against Maharashtra FC, earning praise and sparking interest from Indian clubs.[1][3]

In 1957, he moved to India joining Calcutta League club Kolkata Mohammedan. In the same year, he became the leagues top scorer, while also guiding Mohammedan to the title. In 1960, Mohammedan captained by Umer, won the Aga Khan Gold Cup held in Dhaka, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). In 1961, Umer returned to Pakistan joining East Pakistan-based Victoria Sporting Club.[1] Umer himself led Victoria to both the Dhaka League and the Aga Khan Gold Cup title in 1962 as coach-cum-captain.[4]

International career[edit]

Umer first toured with the Pakistan national team to Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and China in 1956. He later represented Pakistan at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games.[2] Additionally, he participated in the 1959 tour to Burma and the 1960 Merdeka Cup. In the 1960 semi-final, Pakistan lost to hosts Malaysia but reached the final in the 1962 edition under Umer's captaincy, ultimately losing to Indonesia. Umer also showcased his skills in an unofficial friendly against Sweden in 1957, leaving a lasting impression. During the 1960 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, Umer scored against Israel.[5] The qualifying tournament held in Kochi, India, saw Pakistan earn notable victories over both Iran and India, nonetheless, failed to qualify for the main stage, finishing in third out of four teams.[6][1]

Umer also captained Pakistan during China's football tour in Pakistan in 1963.[6] The first test in Dhaka in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) ended in a 0–0 tie.[7] The second match in Peshawar ended in a 3–2 victory for Umer's side,[7] with the third fixture in Lahore ending in another 1–1 draw.[7] The final fourth match in Karachi ended in a 2–0 defeat for Pakistan.[7][6]

Post-playing career[edit]

Following his retirement from playing, Umer continued his involvement in football as a coach. From 1971 to 1974, he served on Sindh's football selection committee while also coaching the Karachi Municipal Corporation from 1971 to 1985, and later the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board team. In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Umer was honored with the Pride of Performance Award in 1990.[1]

Death[edit]

Umer, who spent most his final decades in abject poverty, died on 21 March 2004.[1]

Honours[edit]

Kolkata Mohammedan

Victoria SC

Pakistan

Individual

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Legendary captain Muhammad Umer (1935-2004)". footballpakistan.com. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Pakistan's soccer legend Omar passes away". DAWN.COM. 23 March 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Umar Baloch – The forgotten legend". Daily Balochistan Express, Quetta. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  4. ^ Dulal, Mahmud (2020). খেলার মাঠে মুক্তিযুদ্ধ (transl. Liberation war in the playground) (in Bengali). Bishhoshahitto Bhobon. ISBN 978-984-8218-31-0.
  5. ^ "Israel Official Games 1948-1959". RSSSF. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Ahsan, Ali (23 December 2010). "A history of football in Pakistan – Part II". Dawn. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d "China - List of International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
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