Maria Jamila Khan (Pashto; ماريه جميله خان) (born 9 November 1990) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and captains the Pakistan women's national team. Born in the United States to a Pakistani-American father, she moved as an adult to the United Arab Emirates, and played friendlies for the United Arab Emirates national team,[2][1] before pledging her international allegiance to her ancestral nation Pakistan.[3]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Maria Jamila Khan | ||
| Date of birth | 9 November 1990[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Denver, Colorado, United States | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Eastern Flames | ||
| Number | 66 | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2009–2012 | Denver Pioneers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2019 | Royal Eagles | ||
| 2020–2021 | WAPDA | ||
| 2023– | Eastern Flames | 2 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021–2022 | United Arab Emirates | 6 | (1) |
| 2022– | Pakistan | 8 | (2) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16:04, 15 February 2023 (UTC) | |||
Club career
editIn 2009, Khan joined Denver Pioneers in the United States, where she was a goalkeeper.[4][5] In 2013, Khan moved to the United Arab Emirates to pursue her master's degree. There, she transitioned into a midfielder for an amateur side where signed for an Emirati side, where she became a midfielder.[6][7] It was there that she learnt more about women football in Pakistan, which eventually led her to play for WAPDA at the 2018 National Women Football Championship.[8] In August 2023, she joined Saudi Women's Premier League club Eastern Flames.[9]
International career
editIn October 2020, Khan was one of the 30 players called up for the training camp of the Pakistan women's national team. In August 2022, she named as captain of the national team.[10]
She received praises from all across Pakistan including Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif for her goal against Saudi Arabia.[11][12]
International goals
edit| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 15 January 2023 | Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium, Khobar, Saudi Arabia |  Mauritius |
1–1 | 1–2 | 2023 SAFF Women's Friendly Tournament |
| 2. | 19 January 2023 |  Saudi Arabia |
1–1 | 1–1 |
Personal life
editMaria Jamila Khan is born into Pashtun family.
Khan is the niece of Jahangir Khan, who is widely considered to be the best squash player of all time, and the granddaughter of squash player Hashim Khan.[13] She is an ethnic Pashtun. She is married to Omar Al Duri, a British fitness trainer of Iraqi-Saudi descent based in Dubai.[14][15]
References
edit- ^ a b "Maria Khan Stats, Goals, Records, Assists, Cups and more". FBref.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ Maria Khan at Global Sports Archive
- ^ Lakhani, Faizan (30 August 2022). "'Inshallah we will make you guys proud,' says captain Maria Khan ahead of SAFF championship". Geo News. Archived from the original on 5 March 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- ^ "Trio of goalkeepers locks down net for Pioneers – DU Clarion". Archived from the original on 5 March 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- ^ "Student Athlete Spotlight: Maria Khan". Daniels College of Business. 11 October 2011. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- ^ Lakhani, Faizan (30 August 2022). "Pakistan's football team captain eyes victory ahead of SAFF Women Championship". The News International. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- ^ "Maria Khan on development as a pro player & a coach". souncloud.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ Wasim, Umaid (2 November 2020). "Maria looks to make her mark with Pakistan". Dawn. Archived from the original on 5 March 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- ^ "Pakistan's Maria Khan joins Saudi Arabia's Eastern Flames Football Club". Arab News. 11 August 2023. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ "Maria Khan becomes new captain of Pakistan women's football team". Daily Times. 27 August 2022. Archived from the original on 5 March 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- ^ othernews.pk, Web Desk (22 January 2023). "Maria Khan of Pakistan Receives Praise for her 'bend-it-like-Beckham' game changing goal". Othernews.pk. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "'What a goal!' Maria Khan's magical kick for Pakistan equals friendly against Saudi Arabia". Daily Pakistan Global. 20 January 2023. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "Former Pio Maria Khan Reflects on Pakistan Women's National Team Camp". University of Denver Athletics. 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- ^ "Who is Maria Khan, Pakistani footballer who scored a stunner against Saudi Arabia?". Pakistan Observer. 21 January 2023. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ "Dubai to Dakar: Al-Duri's coaching dream". Sport360. 4 July 2015. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
External links
edit- Maria Khan at Top Drawer Soccer
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