Masha United
 | |
| Full name | Masha United |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | United We Win |
| Short name | MU |
| Founded | 2019 |
| President | Rana Muhammad Ashraf |
| Head coach | Nasir Ismail |
| League | Pakistan Premier League |
| 2021–22 | Withdrew |
Masha United is a Pakistani professional football club based in Faisalabad, Punjab.
The men's team plays in the Pakistan Premier League, the top tier of Pakistani football and was promoted to PPL after winning the department phase of the 2020 PFF League.[1]
The women's team plays in the National Women Football Championship, the top cup competition for women's football clubs in Pakistan, and made its debut in 2021.
Rai Ali Intkhab is the team owner, while Rana Muhammad Ashraf serves as the club president. Rana Ismail is the current head coach.[2] It is supported by the Shahid Afridi Foundation.[3]
History[edit]
Masha United was formed in 2019 when the Pakistan Football Federation announced the 2019 PFF National Challenge Cup in which Masha United would make its debut.[4] However, Masha United couldn't participate in the event.
In February 2020, the 2020 PFF League was announced by Pakistan Football Federation and Masha United was in Group C along with Pakistan Railways, Atletico Madrid Lahore and Hazara Coal.[5] On 14 March 2020, Masha United was to make its debut against Hazara Coal, but this was abandoned due to coronavirus fears in Pakistan.[6] After PFF League was restarted, Masha United defeated Hazara Coal and Pakistan Railways to advance to the departmental final leg. In the departmental final leg, they were undefeated and they were promoted to the 2021 Pakistan Premier League, the first tier of Pakistan Football Federation.
Nasir Ismail was announced as the head coach of Masha United for the 2021 Pakistan Premier League.[1]
In December 2020, Masha United debuted in the PFF National Challenge Cup, the top cup of Pakistan football.
Women's team[edit]
Masha United's women's team made its debut at the 13th National Women Football Championship held in Karachi in March 2021 as a last-minute entrant.[7] To form a competitive team, it recruited four players from the 2021 Nepalese champions Armed Police Force (APF), which included the league’s best player, Saru Limbu.[7]
It finished top of its group, scoring 60 goals in four matches.[8] It included a 19-0 win over Sialkot,[9] a 4-0 triumph over Higher Education Commission,[10] a 35-0 victory over Karachi,[3] and a 2-2 draw with Karachi United. They reached the semifinals before the tournament was cancelled.[11]
Rivalries[edit]
Masha United has a rivalry with Karachi United with which they have the United Derby. The derby started in the 2020 PFF League, where the match ended in a tie.
Players[edit]
Current squad[edit]
- As of 1 August 2023[12]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Competitive record[edit]
The club's competitive records since the 2020–21 season are listed below.
| Season | Div | Tms | Pos | National Challenge Cup | AFC President's Cup | AFC Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | Football Federation League | 6 | 1 | Group Stage | DNP | DNP |
Notable players[edit]
The players below had senior international cap(s) for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed, represented their countries before or after playing for Masha United.
Honours[edit]
Domestic[edit]
- PFF League
- Winners (1): 2020
References[edit]
- ^ a b Editorial Staff (2020-10-24). "After debut season, Masha United reach heady heights of PPFL [Dawn]". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Archived from the original on 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
- ^ "Masha United to bring in six African players for PPFL". www.thenews.com.pk. Archived from the original on 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
- ^ a b "Masha United whip Karachi Women FC 35-0". www.thenews.com.pk. Archived from the original on 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
- ^ Tribune.com.pk (2019-07-17). "PFF National Challenge Football Cup to kick off on July 19". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 2020-02-01. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
- ^ Editorial Staff. "PFF League begins 10 March – FootballPakistan.com (FPDC)". Archived from the original on 2021-02-28. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
- ^ Editorial Staff. "PFF League: Karachi United, PACA register wins – FootballPakistan.com (FPDC)". Archived from the original on 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
- ^ a b National Women’s Football Championship set to kick off amid Covid cloud Archived 2021-03-09 at the Wayback Machine Umaid Wasim 9 March 2021 Dawn Retrieved 9 March 2021
- ^ National Women’s Football Championship Due To Start Tomorrow Archived 2021-10-14 at the Wayback Machine Fida Husnain 8 March 2021 Retrieved 09 March 2021
- ^ Wasim, Umaid (2021-03-10). "Lop-sided victories as national women's football kicks off". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
- ^ Sports, A. R. Y. (2021-03-20). "Masha beat HEC to win second game in National Women's Football Championship". ARYSports.tv. Archived from the original on 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
- ^ "Karachi United, Highlanders club withdraw from National Women Football Championship ahead of semi-finals". www.geo.tv. Archived from the original on 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
- ^ "Masha United". globalsportsarchive.com. Global Sports Archive. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
External links[edit]
- Masha United at Global Sports Archive