Israfeel Kohistani

Israfeel Kohistani
	Kohistani with Afghanistan in 2010
Personal information
Date of birth	June 5, 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth	Kabul, Afghanistan
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Vejen Sports Forening
Number	7
Senior career*
Years	Team
2004–2007	Ordu Kabul
2007–2012	Kabul Bank
2012–2014	Vejle FC
2014–	Vejen Sports Forening
International career
2002–2004	Afghanistan U-16-18
2004–2010	Afghanistan U-23
2005–	Afghanistan
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mohammad Salim Israfeel Kohistani (born 5 June 1987) is an Afghan footballer who currently plays for Vejen Sports Forening and the Afghanistan national team. He played in World Cup 2010 qualifiers,^[1] and 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification. He is from the north-eastern Afghan province of Kapisa and is one of the most capped Afghan players ever along with Zohib Islam Amiri and Faisal Sakhizada.

When he was eight years old, Kohistani picked up an unexploded grenade and lost four fingers on his left hand.^[2]

Club career

In 2000, he started playing football at the Habibia high school team, until 2003. In 2004, he played in first league at the Habibiana football team and soon after he made a transfer to the Army FC, where he played for 3 years. In 2007, he was transferred from Army FC to Kabul Bank FC. In these 3 years the club became vice-champion of national ligue and champion of all Afghanistan cups. His ability in the ground spirit of the game Inspired many I-League teams to transfer him. Kingfisher East Bengal F.C. have asked him to play for them, But Kohistani denied their request. After that he transferred to Denmark club Vejen Sports Forening.

International career

Kohistani has represented Afghanistan in almost every youth team. He became a member of the senior team in 2005. He played 3 times in SAFF Cup, 2 times in AFC Challenge Cup and 2 times in South Asian Games. He also represented the Afghanistan national football team in the FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifiers, where they were eliminated by Syria, in 2007. He recently scored one goal for Afghanistan in Tau Devi Lal Stadium which led Afghanistan 2–0 victory over Bhutan in 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification, the second goal was scored by Waheed Nadeem. He assisted one goal against Palestine in 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification which was scored by Bilal Arzou.

Career statistics

Club

Year	Club	Apps	Goals
2004-2007	Ordu Kabul F.C.	–	–
2007–2012	Kabul Bank F.C.	–	–
2012–2014	Vejle FC
2014–	Vejen Sports Forening	61	32

International

Year	Club	Apps	Goals
2002–2004	Afghanistan U16 – U18	32	8
2004–2010	Afghanistan U23	48	22
2005–Present	Afghanistan	34	2

International goals

Scores and results list Afghanistan's goal tally first.

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	25 March 2011	Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Gurgaon, India	Bhutan	2–0	2–0	2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification

References

^ "Archived copy". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 21 January 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ Montague, James (2014). Thirty-one nil : on the road with football's outsiders : a World Cup odyssey. Bloomsbury. p. 25. ISBN 9781408158845.

External links

Nettavisen.no
Israfeel Kohistani official blog
Israfeel Kohistani at FIFA.com
Israfeel Kohistani at National-Football-Teams.com
Vejle FC profile

[1] "Archived copy". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 21 January 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[2] Montague, James (2014). Thirty-one nil : on the road with football's outsiders : a World Cup odyssey. Bloomsbury. p. 25. ISBN 9781408158845.

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