Israfeel Kohistani

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

Israfeel Kohistani
Israfeel Kohistani, Captain of the National Team ahead of a match
Personal information
Date of birth (1987-06-05) June 5, 1987
Place of birth Kabul, Afghanistan
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Vejen Sports Forening
Number 7
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 Ordu Kabul
2007–2012 Kabul Bank
2012–2014 Vejle FC
2014– Vejen Sports Forening 152 (44)
National team
2002–2004 Afghanistan U-16-18 32 (8)
2004–2010 Afghanistan U-23 48 (22)
2005– Afghanistan 27 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

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 and his teammates are celebrating victory 2011 SAFF Championship Semi Final against the tournaments highest ranked team Nepal. It also marked Afghanistan's first win over Nepal.

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
YearClubAppsGoals
2004-2007Ordu Kabul F.C. – –
2007–2012Kabul Bank F.C. – –
2012–2014Vejle FC
2014–Vejen Sports Forening6132

International
YearClubAppsGoals
2002–2004Afghanistan U16 – U18328
2004–2010Afghanistan U234822
2005–PresentAfghanistan342

References
  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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