Mohammed Foysal Ahmed Fahim (Bengali: মোহাম্মদ ফয়সাল আহমেদ ফাহিম; born 24 February 2002), known as Fahim, is a Bangladeshi professional footballer who plays as a left winger for Bangladesh Premier League club Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and the Bangladesh national team. A versatile player, Fahim can also operate as a right winger, striker or attacking midfielder.

Foysal Ahmed Fahim
Personal information
Full name Mohammed Foysal Ahmed Fahim
Date of birth (2002-02-24) 24 February 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Sirajganj, Bangladesh
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)[1]
Position(s) Winger, Striker
Team information
Current team
Bashundhara Kings
Number 17
Youth career
2014–2015 Masumpur KC
2015 BFF Sylhet Academy
2016–2017 BKSP
2017 MSPCC City Club
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2022 Saif SC 57 (11)
2022–2023 Dhaka Abahani 18 (4)
2023–2024 Sheikh Jamal DC 9 (1)
2024- Bashundhara Kings 0 (0)
International career
2017 Bangladesh U17 6 (7)
2019 Bangladesh U19 9 (2)
2021– Bangladesh U23 6 (0)
2021– Bangladesh 23 (1)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Bangladesh
SAFF U-15 Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Nepal Team
SAFF U-18 Championship
Runner-up 2019 Nepal Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23 February 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16 November 2024

Fahim began his professional career with Saif Sporting Club in 2018, having played in the Pioneer Football League with MSPCC City Club the previous year. He was named the Best Player of the 2017 Pioneer Football League and also won the Top Scorer Award of the 2017 SAFF U-15 Championship.

Early career

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Fahim's football journey started with the traditional Masumpur Krira Chakra in Sirajganj District, under coach and former professional footballer Rezaul Karim Khokon. He then went on to join BFF Sylhet Academy in 2015, which was shut down within a few months of him joining. In 2017, he joined MSPCC City Club in Dhaka and won the Best Player Award of the Pioneer Football League.[2] Initially, due to the money required to pursue football in the country, Fahim's family were reluctant to approve of his desire to take the sport as a profession. Fahim was later admitted to Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) in Sylhet.[3] In 2017, Fahim was included in the SAFF U-15 Championship squad after alongside eleven of his BKSP teammates after impressing coach Mustafa Anwar Parvez.[4] After being awarded the tournament's golden boot, Fahim signed a professional contract with professional league club Saif Sporting Club the following year.[5]

Club career

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Saif Sporting Club

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On 1 July 2018, Fahim was contracted by Saif Sporting Club. Before making his senior team debut, Fahim participated in the 2017–18 BFF U-18 Football Tournament with the U18 team. On 11 April 2019, Fahim made his Bangladesh Premier League debut for Saif during a 3–2 defeat against Bashundhara Kings. On 23 July 2019, Fahim scored his first goal for the club against NoFeL SC in the league.[6] He ended his first professional league season with 2 goals from 7 league games. On 10 December 2021, Fahim scored in the semi-final as Saif defeated Swadhinata KS 2–0 to reach the semi-finals of the 2021 Independence Cup.[7] On 23 June 2022, he netted a brace in a 4–3 victory over Chittagong Abahani.[8] His contributions lead to Saif to their highest league finish in the club's history. However, Fahim found himself a Free agent, as Saif shut down all football activities after the season ended.[9]

Abahani Limited Dhaka

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On 24 February 2023, Fahim celebrated his twenty-first birthday by netting a hat-trick against AFC Uttara in a league fixture.[10]

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club

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On 28 August 2023, Fahim completed a move to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club for the 2023–24 season.[11]

International career

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Youth

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Fahim won the golden boot in the 2017 SAFF U-15 Championship as he finished top scorer with 6 goals out of 4 matches.[12] His goals included a hat-trick against Sri Lanka U15[13] and he also managed to score in both games against Bhutan U15 one of which came during a 8-0 trashing.[14][15] He was in the scoresheet again in the semi-finals against Nepal U15 as Bangladesh lost 4–2 and were knocked out of the competition.[16] On 24 September 2017, Fahim scored a long-range winner against the Qatar U16 team and sealed a stunning 2–0 win for Bangladesh during the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship qualifiers.[17] In the end, even though Bangladesh failed to qualify for the main tournament, the victory was seen as a huge achievement and attracted the attention of local media.[18][19]

Fahim was the joint top scorer in the 2019 SAFF U-18 Championship alongside his teammate Tanvir Hossain and Gurkirat Singh from India U18. His goals came against Sri Lanka U18 in the group stages and Bhutan U18 during the semi-finals of the tournament.[20][21] He was also in the squad during a disappointing 2020 AFC U-19 Championship qualification campaign.[22][23] In 2019, he also participated in the U19 Three Nations Tournament, hosted by Qatar FA.[24]

Fahim was named on the Bangladesh U23 team by coach Maruful Haque for the AFC U-23 Championship 2022 qualifiers.[25] He managed to play in all of the 3 games, the qualifiers ended with Bangladesh failing to score a single time. Although the poor performances shown by the team, Fahim was impressive during the games, with his quick feet and dribbling, which earned him a Bangladesh national team call up.[26]

Senior

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In 2020, Fahim was called up to the national team for the first time during the Bangabandhu Gold Cup. Although he was named on the final squad list, he did not participate in any of the games. He was called up once again, this time for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June 2021, bu failed to join the team in the end due to passport complications. He was also named in Jamie Day's 35-man preliminary squad for the 2021 SAFF Championship, however, his name was cut off when interim coach Óscar Bruzón named his final squad.[27][28]

On 13 November 2021, Fahim finally made his debut for the Bangladesh national team coming on as a substitute for Mohammad Ibrahim during the start of the second half against Maldives in the 2021 Four Nations Football Tournament.[29] Bangladesh won the game 2–1 which was their first victory against Maldives in 18 years.[30]

He was included in the final squad for the 2023 SAFF Championship.[31] On 22 June 2023, Fahim squandered a one on one goal scoring opportunity against the Lebanese goalkeeper, to give Bangladesh the lead in the tournament opener against Lebanon. He came under heavy criticism from local media, after his team went down 0–2.[32][33]

On 17 October 2023, Fahim assisted the opening goal and scored the winner against Maldives in the second leg of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC first round, securing Bangladesh a 3–2 aggregate victory and a place in the second round.[34]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 23 February 2024.[35]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Domestic Cup[a] Other[b] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Saif SC 2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League 7 2 0 0 0 0 7 2
2019–20 Bangladesh Premier League 5 1 2 0 7 1
2020–21 Bangladesh Premier League 24 3 5 1 29 4
2021–22 Bangladesh Premier League 21 5 1 0 5 2 27 7
Saif SC total 57 11 8 1 5 2 0 0 70 14
Abahani Limited Dhaka 2022–23 Bangladesh Premier League 18 4 4 3 5 0 27 7
2023–24 Bangladesh Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 2[c] 0 2 0
Abahani Limited Dhaka total 18 4 4 3 5 0 2 0 29 7
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi 2023–24 Bangladesh Premier League 9 1 2 2 2 0 13 3
Career total 84 16 14 6 12 2 2 0 112 24
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in Bangladesh Federation Cup
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in Bangladesh Independence Cup
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in AFC Cup

International

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As of 26 March 2024.
Bangladesh national team
Year Apps Goals
2021 1 0
2022 6 0
2023 10 1
2024 2 0
Total 19 1

International goals

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Youth

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Scores and results list Bangladesh's goal tally first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 18 August 2017 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal   Sri Lanka 1–0 4–0 2017 SAFF U-15 Championship
2. 2–0
3. 4–0
4. 22 August 2017   Bhutan 1–0 3–0
5. 25 August 2017     Nepal 1–3 2–4
6. 27 August 2017   Bhutan 1–0 8–0
7. 24 September 2017 Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar   Qatar 2–0 2–0 2018 AFC U-16 Championship qualifiers
8. 21 September 2019 APF Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal   Sri Lanka 3–0 3–0 2019 SAFF U-19 Championship
9. 27 September 2019 APF Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal   Bhutan 2–0 4–0
Last updated 27 September 2019

Senior

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No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 17 October 2023 Bashundhara Kings Arena, Dhaka, Bangladesh   Maldives 2–1 2–1 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
Last updated 17 October 2023

Honours

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Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Md Foysal Ahmed Fahim Stats, Info and Next Game". footballcritic.com. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  2. ^ "পাইওনিয়ার লিগে কিং স্টার চ্যাম্পিয়ন". Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). 11 November 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Young Bangladesh booters make country proud again". Dhaka Tribune. September 25, 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Bangladesh U-15 squad named for Saff Championship". Dhaka Tribune. August 13, 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  5. ^ "সিরাজগঞ্জে সোনার বুট জয়ী ফাহিম এখন জাতীয়দলে". The Daily Observer (in Bengali). 14 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Saif SC defeat NoFeL SC 3-1". The Business Standard. July 23, 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  7. ^ "অতিরিক্ত সময়ের গোলে সেমিফাইনালে সাইফ". Newsbangla24 (in Bengali). 10 December 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  8. ^ "BPL Football: Saif beat Chittagong Abahani 4-3 to move 3rd spot". unb.com.bd. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Saif SC withdraw from all footballing activities". The Daily Star. August 3, 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  10. ^ "জন্মদিনে নিজেকে হ্যাটট্রিক উপহার ফয়সালের, হ্যাটট্রিক 'বুড়ো' এলিটারও". Prothomalo (in Bengali). 24 February 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  11. ^ "দলবদলের উত্তাপ ক্লাব ফুটবলে". SAMAKAL (in Bengali). 24 July 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  12. ^ "সর্বোচ্চ গোলদাতা বাংলাদেশের ফয়সাল ফাহিম". jagonews24.com. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  13. ^ "SAFF U15 C'ship: Bangladesh outplay Sri Lanka 4–0". Daily Sun. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Bangladesh U15s outclass Bhutan to top Group A". Dhaka Tribune. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Bangladesh thrash Bhutan 8–0 to finish third in Saff U-15 C'ship". Dhaka Tribune. 28 August 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Nepal reach final of SAFF U-15 Championship 2017". 25 August 2017.
  17. ^ "তোমাকে হারাতে চাই না ফাহিম". Prothomalo (in Bengali). 26 September 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Bangladesh U-16 ends AFC qualifiers with a win over Qatar". Dhaka Tribune. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  19. ^ "U16 boys triumph hosts Qatar 2–0 in AFC Championship". BFF. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  20. ^ "SAFF U-18: Bangladesh makes flying start beating Sri Lanka 3-0". Daily Sun. 21 September 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Bangladesh thrash Bhutan 4–0 to reach SAFF U-18 Championship final". bdnews24.com.
  22. ^ "Last-gasp winner denies U19s". Dhaka Tribune. 11 November 2019.
  23. ^ "AFC U-19 Qualifiers: Bangladesh to play hosts Bahrain on Wednesday". Dhaka Tribune. 5 November 2019.
  24. ^ "U-19 Football: Bangladesh to fly for Qatar Thursday to play Tri-nation Int'l Friendly". The Business Standard. 2019-10-10. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  25. ^ "England-based Yusuf named in Bangladesh U-23 side". Dhaka Tribune. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Bangladesh Football team leaves Dhaka for Sri Lanka". unb.com.bd. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  27. ^ "ফয়সালে চোখ মারিও লেমোসের". Prothomalo (in Bengali). 31 October 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  28. ^ "সেই সোনার বুট জয়ী ফাহিম এখন জাতীয় দলে". Daily Manobkantha (in Bengali).
  29. ^ "Bangladesh beat Maldives for the first time in 18 years". The Business Standard. 13 November 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Four Nations Football: Bangladesh earn long-awaited win upsetting Maldives 2–1". unb.com.bd. 13 November 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  31. ^ "নিজেদের প্রতি বিশ্বাস রাখতে হবে". kalerkantho.com (in Bengali). June 8, 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  32. ^ "গোল নষ্ট করে অনুতপ্ত ফয়সাল তাকিয়ে আছেন মালদ্বীপ ম্যাচে". Prothomalo (in Bengali). June 24, 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  33. ^ Rahman, Anisur (June 23, 2023). "Bangladesh go down fighting". The Daily Star. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  34. ^ "মালদ্বীপকে হারিয়ে বিশ্বকাপ বাছাইয়ের দ্বিতীয় রাউন্ডে বাংলাদেশ". Prothomalo (in Bengali). October 17, 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  35. ^ Foysal Ahmed Fahim at Soccerway
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