Pakistan International Airlines FC in international football

Pakistan International Airlines FC in International Football
PIA team which participated in the Aga Khan Gold Cup in 1970
Club Pakistan International Airlines
First entry1985–86
Latest entry1990–91

Pakistan International Airlines FC, abbreviated as PIA FC, served as the football section of Pakistan International Airlines. Based in Karachi, Sindh, the club used to compete in the National Football Championship and Pakistan Premier League. The club is the most successful club in Pakistan at the National Football Championship with nine titles, with their first league title in 1971 and their last title win in the 1998–99 season.

The team became the first Pakistani club to feature in an Asian club competition, when it played the 1985–86 Asian Club Championship, as winners of the 1984 Inter-Provincial Championship.[1] It again featured at the 1990–91 Asian Club Championship based on their National Championship victories.[2]

A separate Asian Cup Winners' Cup was introduced in 1990 intended for domestic cup champions. Pakistan Airlines were due to feature in the 1992–93 and 1998–99 editions, although the team withdrew in the qualifying matches.[2]

Major appearances

Competition No. of appearances Seasons Best result
Asian Club Championship[a] 2 1985–86, 1990–91 Group stages (1985–86, 1990–91)
  1. ^ Was known as AFC Champions League from 2002 till 2024 and is now known as the AFC Champions League Elite since 2024.

Participation record

Statistics

Overall Record in Continental Competitions

Includes records from qualifier and preliminary stage matches as well.
Competition First match Last match Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Asian Club Championship 2 August 1985 17 July 1990 7 2 3 2 9 8 +1 028.57
Total 7 2 3 2 9 8 +1 028.57

Source: Competitions

Asian Club Championship

The AFC Champions League is an annual continental club football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation. Introduced in 1967 as the Asian Club Championship, the competition rebranded and took on its current name in 2002 as a result of the merger between the Asian Club Championship, the Asian Cup Winners' Cup and the Asian Super Cup. Pakistan Airlines took part in the competition twice (1985–86 and 1990–91), failing to go past the group stage/first round both times.

1985–86 Asian Club Championship

1985 Central Asia Champions' Cup

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 East Bengal 5 5 0 0 20 0 +20 10 Qualify to Group stage
2 Abahani Krira Chakra 5 4 0 1 17 4 +13 8
3 Saunders (H) 5 2 1 2 12 8 +4 5
4 PIA 5 1 2 2 8 8 0 4
5 New Road Team 5 1 1 3 8 11 −3 3
6 Club Valencia 5 0 0 5 2 36 −34 0
Source: Champions' Cup 1985/86
(H) Hosts

Pakistan Airlines became the first Pakistani club to feature in an Asian club competition, when it played the 1985–86 Asian Club Championship, as winners of the 1984 Inter-Provincial Championship.[1] The format of the tournament was different with different zonal tournaments that were held and the winners of these zonal tournaments would progress into the main finals to be held in Jedah, Saudi Arabia. Pakistan Airlines was part of the Central Asia Zone, and the tournament was named Coca-Cola Cup.[3] They were to face the champions of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Afghanistan, Iran and Maldives however, the two teams from Iran and Afghanistan withdrew their names.[3]

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss

2 August 1985 1 Pakistan Airlines 0–3 Abahani Krira Chakra Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Aslam
  • Kamal
  • Chunnu (pen.)
Stadium: Sugathadasa Stadium
4 August 1985 2 Pakistan Airlines 6–1 Club Valencia Colombo, Sri Lanka
Stadium: Sugathadasa Stadium
7 August 1985 3 Pakistan Airlines 0–2 East Bengal Colombo, Sri Lanka
Stadium: Sugathadasa Stadium
11 August 1985 4 Pakistan Airlines 2–2 Saunders Colombo, Sri Lanka
Stadium: Sugathadasa Stadium
13 August 1985 5 Pakistan Airlines 0–0 New Road Team Colombo, Sri Lanka
Stadium: Sugathadasa Stadium

1990–91 Asian Club Championship

Group stage

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Al-Nasr 2 1 1 0 2 0 +2 3 Qualify to Quarter-finals
2 Pakistan Airlines (H) 2 1 1 0 1 0 +1 3
3 Ranipokhari 2 0 0 2 0 3 −3 0
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts


PIA qualified for the 1990–91 Asian Club Championship, after winning the National Football Championship. The team faced Al-Nasr SC from Oman and Ranipokhari Corner Team from Nepal at the Ayub National Stadium in Quetta.[4] In 17 July, the team played to a goalless draw against the Omani side. Despite both teams finishing with three points, Oman advanced to the next round based on a superior goal difference. PIA, the tournament's sponsor, had a solid chance of qualifying for the second round but failed to capitalize on their opportunities despite controlling much of the match. In the 28th minute, Naushad Baloch made a threatening run, though it did not result in a goal.[5] He was also cautioned with a yellow card for charging into the opposing goalkeeper. The best opportunity for PIA came when Baloch's header from a cross by Majeed sailed over the bar. Al-Nasr responded with a dangerous attack, and Salim Juman found the net, but the goal was ruled offside by Bahraini linesman Matal Al Mahlood. Just before halftime, Mukhtar Ali saved a certain goal with an acrobatic overhead kick after PIA goalkeeper Jamshed Rana had been beaten.[5] In the second half, PIA dominated early on. Al-Nasr, focused more on securing a draw, made two substitutions, but were unable to score. Late in the game, PIA received two more yellow cards from Sri Lankan referee Mohsin Arif due to player disputes. In the final minutes, Salah Musyiah launched a powerful shot at the PIA goal, but Jamshed Rana was able to punch it over the bar.[5]

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss

13 July 1990 First Round Pakistan Airlines 1–0 Ranipokhari Quetta, Pakistan
Stadium: Ayub National Stadium
17 July 1990 First Round Pakistan Airlines 0–0 Al-Nasr Quetta, Pakistan
Stadium: Ayub National Stadium

Asian Cup Winners' Cup

The Asian Cup Winners' Cup was a football competition run by the Asian Football Confederation. The competition was started in 1991 as a tournament for all the domestic cup winners from countries affiliated to the AFC. Pakistan Airlines were due to feature in the 1992–93 edition against York Sporting Club of Sri Lanka, and 1998–99 edition against Happy Valley, although the team withdrew in the qualifying matches.[2]

Other International Tournaments

1960 Aga Khan Gold Cup

The Aga Khan Gold Cup is widely regarded as the predecessor of AFC Champions League (held for the first time in 1967), since it was the first organised international competition that involved club teams around Asia, organised by the football authorities of East Pakistan (later Bangladesh), in collaboration with Asian Football Confederation (AFC).[6]

1962 Aga Khan Gold Cup

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss

15 October 1962 Qualifying stage Pakistan Airlines 2–2 Mohammedan SC Dhaka, Pakistan
  • Changez 19'
  • Majid 53'
Report Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
Referee: M.A. Hamza (Pakistan)
17 October 1962 Qualifying stage replay Pakistan Airlines Abandoned[a]
(0–0)
(a.e.t.)
Mohammedan SC Dhaka, Pakistan
Report Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
Referee: M.A. Hamza (Pakistan)
19 October 1962 Semifinals Pakistan Airlines 1–4 (a.e.t.) Young Taegeuk FA Dhaka, Pakistan
  • Saeed 17'
Report
  • Chun Kang-moon 4'
  • Kuk-chan Lim 8', 12'
  • Lee Ei Woo
Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
Referee: Sheikh Shaheb Ali (Pakistan)

1963 Aga Khan Gold Cup

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss

13 October 1963 Qualifying stage Pakistan Airlines 3–0 PWD Dhaka, Pakistan
  • Sayeed 28'
  • Changeez Khan 38', ?'
Report Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
Referee: M.A. Munshi (Pakistan)
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Mohammedan 3 3 0 0 8 2 +6 6 Advance to the Semi-finals
2  Indonesia U23 3 1 0 2 7 7 0 2
3 Warsak 3 1 0 2 5 6 −1 2
4 PIA 3 1 0 2 3 8 −5 2
Source:
17 October 1963 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 3–0 Warsak Dhaka, Pakistan
  • Sarfaz 39', 65', ?'
Report Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
Referee: Masudur Rahman (Pakistan)
19 October 1963 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 3–2  Indonesia U23 Dhaka, Pakistan
  • Sayeed 3', 10', ?'
Report
  • Alvandu 32'
  • Soemarno 40'
Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
Referee: Isa Khan (Pakistan)
21 October 1963 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 0–3 Mohammedan Dhaka, Pakistan
Report Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
Referee: Masudur Rahman (Pakistan)

1964 Aga Khan Gold Cup

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss

21 October 1964 Qualifying stage Pakistan Airlines 0–5 Pakistan Western Railway Dhaka, Pakistan
Report
Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
Referee: Zahurul Alam (Pakistan)

1968 Aga Khan Gold Cup

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss

30 October 1968 Qualifying stage Pakistan Airlines 3–1 Warsak Dhaka, Pakistan
Report
  • Jahangir 62'
Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
Referee: Issa Khan (Pakistan)
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 EPIDC 2 2 0 0 4 2 +2 4 Advance to the Semi-finals
2 Indonesia XI 2 1 0 1 5 3 +2 2
3 Pakistan Airlines 2 0 0 2 2 6 −4 0
1 November 1968 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 1–2 EPIDC Dhaka, Pakistan
Report
  • Hasheem 14'
  • Ayub 67'
Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
Referee: Zahurul Alam (Pakistan)
3 November 1968 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 1–4 Indonesia XI Dhaka, Pakistan
  • Siddik 50'
Report
Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
Referee: Zahurul Alam (Pakistan)

1970 Aga Khan Gold Cup

1977–78 Aga Khan Gold Cup

Known Results

  Win   Draw   Loss

7 December 1977 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 1–1 Brothers Union Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Afzal Qasim
Report Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
26 December 1977 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 3–3 Penang Dhaka, Bangladesh
Report
Stadium: Dhaka Stadium

1981–82 Aga Khan Gold Cup

Group stage

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Oman 4 2 2 0 7 3 +4 6 Advance to the semi-finals
2 Dhaka Mohammedan 4 2 2 0 8 5 +3 6
3 BJMC 4 1 2 1 2 2 0 4
4 Pakistan Airlines 4 1 1 2 4 6 −2 3
5 Farrer Park United 4 0 1 3 4 9 −5 1
Source: RSSSF

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss

2 January 1982 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 0–0 BJMC Dhaka, Bangladesh
Report Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
5 January 1982 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 0–3  Oman Dhaka, Bangladesh
Report
  • Salem Jumaan 32'
  • Younes Aman 67'
  • Nasser Hamdan 73'
Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
7 January 1982 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 4–2 Farrer Park United Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Idrees
  • Iftekhar
  • Abdul Wahid Sr.
Report Nasir Jalil
Jerry Lewis
Stadium: Dhaka Stadium
10 January 1982 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 0–1 Dhaka Mohammedan Dhaka, Bangladesh
Report Stadium: Dhaka Stadium

1982–83 DCM Trophy

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Kolkata Mohammedan 4 3 1 0 10 2 +8 7 Advance to the semi-finals
2 Mafatlal 4 1 2 1 5 3 +2 4
3 East Fremantle Tricolore 4 2 0 2 6 5 +1 4
4 Gorka Brigade 4 1 1 2 5 6 −1 3
5 Pakistan Airlines 4 1 0 3 2 12 −10 2
Source: RSSSF

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss

19 December 1982 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 0–3 Mafatlal India
Report
22 December 1982 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 1–0 Gorkha Brigade India
Report
24 December 1982 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 0–4 East Frimantle Tricolore India
Report
28 December 1982 Group stage Pakistan Airlines 1–5 Kolkata Mohammedan India
Report

1991 Nepal Tournament

In 1991, PIA participated in a tournament in Kathmandhu, Nepal finishing in third place, and PIA player Fida Ur Rehman ending as top scorer with 6 goals.[8]

PIA International Tours

Abu Dhabi tour, 1976

At the end of the year, an 18-member PIA team captained by Abdul Jabbar, toured Abu Dhabi for seven days from 16 December 1976 and played two exhibition matches there.[9]

Matches against foreign touring teams

Berlin University, 1978

On 9 March 1978, PIA played against the Berlin University football team from Germany at the KMC Stadium. The Germans ultimately won the match by three goals to one.[10]

9 March 1978 Friendly Pakistan Airlines 1–3 Berlin University Karachi, Pakistan
Stadium: KMC Stadium

Notes

  1. ^ Mohammedan refused to play extra time without Moosa Ghazi, who had been sent off during regular time. A minute after extra time began, Moosa re-entered the field. When the referee, M.A. Hamza, asked him to leave, Mohammedan refused to continue the match. Later that day, the tournament committee awarded the match to Pakistan Airlines while the East Pakistan Sports Federation imposed a six-month suspension on Moosa.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Ahsan, Ali (23 December 2010). "A history of football in Pakistan — Part III". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Soccer: Army to represent Pakistan". DAWN.COM. 10 January 2006. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  3. ^ a b Chakraborty, Sabyasachi (29 May 2020). "THROWBACK: When East Bengal FC became the Champions of Central Asia!". BADGEB. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  4. ^ Pakistan Year Book. East & West Publishing Company. 1990. p. 126.
  5. ^ a b c Pakistan Year Book. East & West Publishing Company. 1990. pp. 125–126.
  6. ^ "Aga Khan Gold Cup". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Pakistan Observer 1962.10.18 — South Asian Newspapers". gpa.eastview.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Daily Ausaf Urdu Newspaper | Sports". Daily Ausaf (in Urdu). 7 November 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  9. ^ Pakistan Year Book. East & West Publishing Company. 1990. p. 126.
  10. ^ Pakistan Year Book. East & West Publishing Company. 1978. p. 112.