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Mohammad Abu Yusuf

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Abu Yusuf
Personal information
Full name Mohammad Abu Yusuf
Date of birth (1957-09-11) 11 September 1957 (age 67)[1]
Place of birth Dacca, East Pakistan (present-day Dhaka, Bangladesh)
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Centre Back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1972 Kamal SC
1973 Fire Service SC
1974–1980 Rahmatganj MFS
1980–1983 Mohammedan SC
1983–1991 Dhaka Abahani
1991–1992 Victoria SC
1993 Jurain Janata Club
1994 Dhaka Abahani
International career
1974–1975 Bangladesh U19
1975–1987 Bangladesh (1)
Managerial career
1993 Jurain Janata Club
1994 Dhaka Abahani (assistant)
1995 Mohammedan SC
1996 Victoria SC
1997 Dhaka Abahani
1998 Chittagong Abahani
1998 Bangladesh
1999–2002 Koshaituli SKP
1999–2000 Victoria SC
2000–2002 Chittagong Abahani
2002 Victoria SC
2000 Bangladesh U19
2003 Bangladesh U20
2004–2005 Sheikh Russel KC
2007 Muktijoddha Sangsad
2007 Bangladesh U23
2008 Victoria SC
2008 BFF Women's XI
2008 Bangladesh
2009–2010 Farashganj SC
2011 Feni SC
2012–2013 Sheikh Jamal DC
2014–2015 Muktijoddha Sangsad
2017 Farashganj SC
2018–19 T&T Club Motijheel
2021 Wari Club
2022–2023 NoFeL SC
2024 Dhaka Wanderers
Medal record
Representing  Bangladesh
South Asian Games
Silver medal – second place 1985
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mohammad Abu Yusuf (Bengali: মোহাম্মদ আবু ইউসুফ; born 11 September 1957) is a Bangladeshi football coach and former player,[2] who last served as the head coach of Bangladesh Championship League club Dhaka Wanderers.

Early life

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Yusuf was born on 11 September 1957, in Bakshibazar, Dhaka. His father was a religious speaker at the Bakshibazar Mosque while his mother was a stay at home parent. Yusuf is the eldest of six brothers and seven sisters, and spent much of his childhood in Kolkata, where he would become an avid fan of Kolkata Mohammedan. Back in East Pakistan, Yusuf was inspired by local players, such as Golam Sarwar Tipu and Abdul Ghafoor.[2]

During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, Yusuf supported his family financially by driving rickshaws while still studying in eight grade at the Nabakumar Institution. He started playing football through an interschool football tournament, that took place in 1972. He played as a guest footballer for the local teams from Bakshibazar, Chawk Bazar, Panchabati and Churihatta.[1]

Club career

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In 1972, Mahuttuli Sporting footballer Khorshed took Yusuf to the trials for Star of Bangladesh Club who played in the Dhaka Third Division League. He failed to make the cut and was later also rejected by Mahuttuli Sporting for being too small. Eventually, the assistant coach of Fire Service SC, Bazlur Rahman, gave Yusuf the opportunity to play for Kamal Sporting in the Dhaka Second Division League. He played two games in the unfinished league. In 1973, Yusuf got a job at the Dhakeswari Cotton Mill, and with them he played a few local tournaments on a monthly salary. In 1974, a Russian coach held trials for the Bangladesh U19 team in Comilla, and Yusuf got into the final squad for the 1975 AFC Youth Championship in Kuwait.[2]

In 1974, he made his First Division debut with Fire Service SC. The following year he joined Rahmatganj MFS, where he spent 6 consecutive years and even guided the club to their highest league position in 1977, when they finished runners-up to Abahani Krira Chakra. In 1980, he moved to Mohammedan SC, and became league champion in both 1980 and 1982. He was also part of the team that won the Ashis-Jabbar Shield Tournament in India, as the Black and Whites became the first Bangladeshi club to win a trophy on foreign soil. In 1981, Yusuf was operated for his injured knee in the middle of the season, which lead to his falling out with the Mohammedan officials.[3]

In 1983, Yusuf joined Abahani Krira Chakra, with them he won a hat-trick of league titles from 1983 till 1985. He was also appointed club captain in 1986, and guided them to their third Federation Cup title. He also found success in continental level, as Abahani were runners-up in the Central Asian Zone of the 1985–86 Asian Club Championship, and champions of India's Charms Cup and Sait Nagjee Trophy, during the latter Yusuf was captain. After almost a decade at Abahani, he joined Victoria SC in 1991, and was later the coach cum player of Jurain Janata in the Second Division League. Eventually he retired in 1994, as an Abahani player.[1]

International career

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After playing for the Bangladesh U19 in the AFC Youth Championship, Yusuf made his senior team debut in 1975, during the Merdeka Cup. He labelled his first tournament with the national team as "tragic" due to the 15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état. On the same day as the massacre, a below par Bangladesh team were compelled to play their last group game against South Korea, which they lost 4–0.[2] He was recalled to the team for the 1978 Asian Games and later lost his place to Shahiduddin Ahmed Selim during the second phase of the 1980 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers held in Dhaka.[4]

On 14 September 1979, he scored his only international goal for Bangladesh, in a 3–1 victory over Sri Lanka, in the 1979 Korea President's Cup.[5] Yusuf started all four games in the 1980 AFC Asian Cup,[6] and captained the national team the following year in the first President's Gold Cup. Although he was called up to the preliminary squad for the 1982 Asian Games, he was excluded from German coach Gerd Schmidt's final selection. It was suspected that Yusuf, was scapegoated for Bangladesh's poor performances in the Quaid-e-Azam International Cup and President's Gold Cup tournaments held earlier that year.[7]

In the 1985 South Asian Games final against India, Yusuf was one of the players who failed to convert his penalty as Bangladesh lost 1–4 in the tie-breaker. In both 1986 and 1987 he played in the President's Gold Cup with the Bangladesh Red team, which was the main national team.[1][8]

Managerial career

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After gaining experience while coaching Jurain Sporting, Yusuf was appointed as the assistant coach of Samir Shaker at Abahani. In 1995, he was appointed as the head coach of Mohammedan SC. Yusuf, guided Mohammedan to the DMFA Cup and Federation Cup, however, was replaced by Nigerian coach Kadiri Ikhana before the league season began. Nonetheless, after losing eight points in the first four league games, Yusuf was reappointed as head coach. Mohammedan finished runners-up to Muktijoddha SKC in the championship playoff, after their star players Motiur Rahman Munna and Kaiser Hamid suffered season ending injuries.[2]

In 1996 and 1999, under his coaching, Victoria SC were promoted from the First Division League to the Premier Division League. Yusuf took charge of Abahani the following year, and won the Federation Cup for the second time in his managerial career. In 1998, he managed the Bangladesh national team during two friendly matches which ended in draws against middle-eastern giants Qatar and their U23 team. He also guided Chittagong Abahani to their maiden semi-final appearance at the 2001–02 National Football League. Yusuf coached Bangladesh U19 at the 2004 AFC Youth Championship qualifiers, as his team missed out on qualification on goal difference.[9]

On 3 October 2004, Yusuf signed a one-year contract with Sheikh Russel KC and guided them to fifth position in the league, playing in an unorthodox 5-3-2 formation.[10] In 2007, he joined Muktijoddha SKC, which became his first Bangladesh Premier League team. However, his stay at there was cut short as Yusuf had a row with senior players, who were ignored by the coach due to lack of fitness.[11] Yusuf later coached Bangladesh U23 at the 2008 Summer Olympics qualifiers, where his team lost 1–3 on aggregate to Hong Kong U23.[12]

"The local forwards I have are not reliable. So, we will need both the Moroccans. I also need a good foreign defender because my present backline lacks maturity. My midfield has delivered what I needed. So, we will have to be careful about picking the third one,"

— Sheikh Russel KC coach Yusuf on his squad before the 2004–05 Dhaka Premier Division League season commenced.[13]

"I have cut ties with this team. The officials requested me to stay at the bench in Muktijoddha's last two matches and that is why I am here"

— Muktijoddha SKC coach Yusuf on his dissatisfaction with his players[13]

Yusuf also focused on women's football, and trained the Bangladesh Football Federation President's Eleven in 2004, and was also the coach of the unofficial Bangladesh Women's Team who played a friendly against the travelling Orissa State football team from India, in 2007.[14][15] In 2008, Yusuf decided to return to Victoria SC for his fourth stint with the club, however, Victoria could not earn promotion from the Dhaka Senior Division Football League, which was then the second-tier (previously first-tier and currently the third-tier).[16]

On 4 March 2008, Yusuf was made Bangladesh national team coach for the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers and the 2008 SAFF Championship.[17][18] Yusuf selected an inexperienced squad for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers,[19] and during their opening match draw against Afghanistan, he handed debuts to three players – Mamunul Islam, Arup Kumar Baidya, Kazi Mofazzal Hossain (sent off during the game) and Maroof Ahmed.[20] Nonetheless, the next game resulted in a (1–2) defeat to Kyrgyzstan which ended Bangladesh's qualification hopes.[21][22][23] Later on that year at the SAFF Championship, Bangladesh produced one of their worst performances in the competition, and failed to advance past the group-stage with 2 draws and 1 loss.[24][25][26][23] Yusuf resigned after the tournament, stating it was due to interference from the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).[27][28]

"I don't want to continue because I feel the total management at the BFF does not favour any coach. I admit the failure to give the national team result(s) but I would also add that the atmosphere is not coach-friendly. I expected better from the new BFF committee but it has yet to change the tradition"

— Yusuf on his decision to resign from the Bangladesh national team[27]

Yusuf spent the next few years managing minnows Farashganj SC and Feni SC in the Bangladesh Premier League, and he enjoyed relative success by helping them avoid relegation.[29][30] On 16 February 2012, Yusuf joined Sheikh Jamal DC, and lead the club to a runners-up position in the 2012–13 Bangladesh Premier League and 2012 Federation Cup.[31] Yusuf also finished runner-up at the 2015 Federation Cup with Muktijoddha SKC.[32][33]

Yusuf was reappointed as Farashganj SC head coach in April 2017.[34] However, midway through the 2017–18 Bangladesh Premier League, Yusuf was sacked by Farashganj, and the club eventually went onto be relegated from the top-tier.[35] In June 2021, Yusuf took charge of Wari Club, during the second phase of the 2020–21 Bangladesh Championship League. He remained in the second-tier, managing NoFeL SC during the 2022–23 Bangladesh Championship League, before facing the sack halfway through the league season, in January 2023.

On 24 April 2024, Yusuf guided Dhaka Wanderers Club to the Bangladesh Premier League as runners-up of the 2023–24 Bangladesh Championship League. This marked the club's return to the country's top-flight after 19 years and would see them participate in the Premier League for the first time in history.[36][37][38]

Honours

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Player

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Mohammedan SC

Abahani Limited Dhaka

Manager

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Mohammedan SC

Abahani Limited Dhaka

Koshaituli Somaj Kallyan Parishad

Victoria SC

Awards and accolades

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "পরিশ্রমী ফুটবলার আবু ইউসুফ". Daily Janakantha (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "আমি হয়তো ছিলাম সেই সময়ের আদর্শ ফুটবলার". www.kalerkantho.com (in Bengali). September 16, 2015. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  3. ^ ৬৭ বছর বয়সেও বাইক চালিয়ে কোচিংয়ে. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 23 March 2024. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  4. ^ "In Bits and Pieces". Krira Jagat Magazine. p. 39. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024 – via Facebook.
  5. ^ "বাংলাদেশ ক্রীড়ালেখক সমিতির পুরস্কার বিতরণী ১৯৮৪" (in Bengali). Bangladesh Sports Writers Association. Retrieved 30 May 2024 – via Facebook.
  6. ^ "অভিমান নেই আছে অভিলাষ" (in Bengali). Krira Jagat Magazine. p. 7. Retrieved 30 May 2024 – via Facebook.
  7. ^ "সিলেকশন থেকে ইউসুফ বাদ কেন?" (in Bengali). Krira Jagat Magazine. p. 23. Retrieved 30 May 2024 – via Facebook.
  8. ^ একটা সোনা জিততে ১৫ বছর...কেন?. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Yousuf full of hope". archive.thedailystar.net. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  10. ^ "Yusuf becomes Russel coach". archive.thedailystar.net. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Russel crush hapless Reds". archive.thedailystar.net. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Bangladesh host HK today". archive.thedailystar.net. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Premier League Team watch: Russel KC". archive.thedailystar.net. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  14. ^ "First friendly today". The Daily Star. August 22, 2007. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Eves exhibit dull soccer". archive.thedailystar.net. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  16. ^ "Giants warmed up". The Daily Star. January 29, 2008. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  17. ^ "A reward for Yusuf". The Daily Star. March 5, 2008. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Yousuf to guide national booters". bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Booters off to Bishkek". The Daily Star. May 3, 2008. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  20. ^ "An escape for Bangladesh". The Daily Star. May 6, 2008. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  21. ^ "Bangladesh down & out". The Daily Star. May 10, 2008. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  22. ^ "Mission regaining title". The Daily Star. May 27, 2008. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Bangladesh's acid test". The Daily Star. June 6, 2008. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Bangladesh bow out". The Daily Star. June 9, 2008. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  25. ^ "Booters' silent return". The Daily Star. June 12, 2008. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  26. ^ Sadi, Al Musabbir (June 11, 2008). "It can't get any worse". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Yusuf wants to leave". The Daily Star. June 18, 2008. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  28. ^ "Yusuf to go black & white". The Daily Star. June 13, 2008. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  29. ^ "Beanibazar shock Russel". The Daily Star. September 30, 2009. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  30. ^ "Sk Russel, Brothers win". The Daily Star. May 30, 2011. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  31. ^ "Abu Yusuf new Sheikh Jamal coach". The Daily Star. February 17, 2012. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  32. ^ "A battle of 2 coaches". The Daily Star. March 5, 2015. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  33. ^ "Sheikh Jamal retain title of Federation Cup". The New Nation.
  34. ^ "Muktis pile misery on Arambagh". The Daily Star. August 10, 2017. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  35. ^ "Rahmatganj celebrate survival, Farashganj relegated". The Daily Star. January 14, 2018. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  36. ^ ‘আমি সোজাসাপ্টা কথা বলি, তাই আমাকে অনেকে পছন্দ করে না’. Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). 10 March 2024. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  37. ^ Farhad, Rafiqul Haidar (30 April 2024). ষাটোর্ধ্ব ২ কোচের বাজিমাত. Daily Nayadiganta (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  38. ^ "Wanderers back in the big league with nostalgia and new hope". The Daily Star. 25 April 2024. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  39. ^ "85 sports personalities receive National Sports Award". www.dhakatribune.com. May 11, 2022. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
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