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 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. It again featured at the 1990–91 Asian Club Championship based on their National Championship victories.
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.
Major appearances CompetitionNo. of appearancesSeasonsBest resultAsian Club Championship21985–86, 1990–91Group stages (1985–86, 1990–91)
Participation record
+ AFC Tournaments Season Competition Result 1985–86 Central Asia Champions' Cup Group stage 1990–91 Asian Club Championship Group stage 1992–93 Asian Cup Winners' Cup Withdrew 1998–99 Asian Cup Winners' Cup Withdrew
+ Invitational Tournaments Season Country Competition Result 1960 Pakistan 1960 Aga Khan Gold Cup N/A 1962 Pakistan 1962 Aga Khan Gold Cup Semi Finals 1963 Pakistan 1963 Aga Khan Gold Cup Group stage 1964 Pakistan 1964 Aga Khan Gold Cup Qualifying stage 1968 Pakistan 1968 Aga Khan Gold Cup Group stage 1970 Pakistan 1970 Aga Khan Gold Cup Group stage 1977–78 Bangladesh 1977–78 Aga Khan Gold Cup Group stage 1981–82 Bangladesh 1981–82 Aga Khan Gold Cup Group stage 1982–83 India 1982–83 DCM Trophy Group stage 1991 Nepal 1991 TAAN Cup Third place
Statistics
Overall Record in Continental Competitions
Includes records from qualifier and preliminary stage matches as well.
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
and champions withdrew.
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. 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. 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.
Matches
1990–91 Asian Club Championship
Group stage
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. 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. 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. 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.
Matches
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.
Other International Tournaments 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).
1960 Aga Khan Gold Cup
1962 Aga Khan Gold Cup
Matches
1963 Aga Khan Gold Cup
Matches
1964 Aga Khan Gold Cup
Matches
1968 Aga Khan Gold Cup
Matches
1970 Aga Khan Gold Cup
1977–78 Aga Khan Gold Cup
Known Results
1981–82 Aga Khan Gold Cup
Group stage
Matches
1982–83 DCM Trophy
Matches
1991 TAAN Cup In September 1991, PIA participated in the TAAN (Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal) Cup tournament, held in Kathmandhu, Nepal. The team finished in third place, with PIA player Fida Ur Rehman ending as top goal-scorer with 6 goals. 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.
Matches against foreign touring teams
Hopei XI, 1975 In July 1975, the Chinese Hopei provincial team visited Pakistan playing several matches across the country. PIA drew the match against the visitors in Rawalpindi.
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.
Notes
References