Haroon Yousaf

Haroon Yousaf (born 10 November 1973) is a Pakistani former footballer. The versatile footballer played as a defender or midfielder. Haroon played 51 full internationals for Pakistan and scored 3 goals between 1992 and 2003. He has also played for the national U20 and U23 teams.

Early career
Yousaf played for Lahore clubs Allah-o-Akbar Club, City FC, and Defence FC in his youth. He also played briefly for departmental sides PTCL and Pakistan International Airlines FC, but didn't last because of internal problems within the departments.

Railways
In 1990, the Lifebuoy sponsored National Football Championship tournaments brought televised club games to Pakistan for the first time, sparking interest nationwide. Efforts led to a significant deal with the Pakistan Football Federation in 1992, but disagreements halted progress. Despite this setback, continuous tournaments across Pakistan, fostering talent that found opportunities in major departmental teams, which gave them job security. Following this, Yousaf started his career with departmental side Pakistan Railways FC in 1990.

WAPDA
He transferred to departmental side WAPDA the following season and stayed there for five years. Yousaf won National League once with WAPDA in 1991.

Allied Bank
In 1995, he moved to Allied Bank FC where he became captain in 1997. He won thrice consecutive National League titles in 1997, 1999 and 2000. He also won the National Football Challenge Cup four times with Allied Bank, winning in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2002.

He was offered a playing contract from the Indian football team Mahindra United, but the Pakistan Football Federation seemingly turned it down.

Afghan Chaman
Yousaf also played a short while for Afghan Chaman where he is still highly praised as a solid player and leader.

PMC Athletico Faisalabad
Yousaf became one of the founder members of PMC Club Athletico Faisalabad, remaining as captain of the team. In the 2010–11 Pakistan Premier League, he played a crucial role in surviving the relegation despite his age being more than 37 years old, after scoring last-minute penalty goal in a 2–1 victory against Baloch Nushki, allowing PMC Athletico the needful three points and to prevent the relegation. He also inspired the team from the brink of relegation by beating hosts Afghan FC Chaman by 1–0 in final game of the season.

He last played in the 2012–13 Pakistan Premier League, until the club was eventually relegated.

International career
Yousaf got selected by the Pakistan under-19 national team for the 1992 AFC Youth Championship qualifiers in Kannur, India. He captained the national under-23 side for the 1996 Summer Olympics qualifiers. He also captained the national under 23 team as three of the allowed overage players at the 2002 Asian Games.

He was from 1996 till 1999 vice-captain of the Pakistan national team after Qazi Ashfaq and since SAFF 1999 Championship which was held in Goa, he became the captain. He remained the captain until his retirement from the national team in 2003.

He was declared man of the match in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Jordan when Pakistan lost 0-3 against Iraq but he was praised for his defending performance.

Coaching career
In November 2009, Yousaf completed the AFC C Certificate football coaching course from Iranian coach Ardeshir Pournemat in Lahore.

In February 2011, he became the head coach of PMC Athletico Club Faisalabad under-13 football team for coming 13th National under-13 Festival of Football in Pakistan.

He was initially named as one of the assistant coaches of the Pakistan under-23 team for the 2019 South Asian Games under head coach Tariq Lutfi, but the national side missed the event as the country’s entry was not confirmed by the organisers of the biennial spectacle due to late submission.

Personal life
Haroon has five brothers and seven sisters and he is the second oldest of his brothers. One of his brothers, Iqbal Yousaf played in Punjab Football as defender. His favourite footballers are Diego Maradona and Roberto Baggio, and his then national teammates Qazi Ashfaq and Sharafat Ali. He cited Muhammad Aslam Japani as his favourite coach. He got married in 1998 and has three daughters.

He received the AFC Silver Star Award by the Pakistan Football Federation in 2013 for his contributions to the national team.

On 19 March 2021, it was announced that Haroon Yousuf has been named as member of the selection committee for national football team.

International

 * Scores and results list Pakistan's goal tally first.

Honours
With WAPDA FC
 * National Football Championship 1991

With Allied bank limited FC
 * National Football Championship 1997(1), 1999, 2000


 * Pakistan National Football Challenge Cup 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002