AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: All India Football Federation condoles the death of Mr. Abdul Latif who passed away in a Guwahati following a heart ailment. Midfielder Latif was part of India’s 1970 bronze medal-winning Bangkok Asian Games squad.

Latif who made his international debut for India against Burma in the Asia Cup Qualifier in 1968 went on to represent India in 4 matches, and scored one goal against Singapore in the 1969 Merdeka Cup -- a match which India won 3-0.

He represented India in three tournaments – the Asia Cup Qualifier in 1968 in Rangoon (currently Yangon), and the 1969 Merdeka Cup in Kuala Lumpur, and the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok.

AIFF President, Mr. Praful Patel in his message said: “It is sad to hear that Mr. Abdul Latif is no more. His contribution to Indian Football will never be forgotten. I share the grief.”

AIFF General Secretary, Mr. Kushal Das said: “Mr. Abdul Latif will be alive in his achievements. He has been the inspiration of so many Footballers. May He Rest in Peace.”

At the domestic level, he represented Bengal in the Santosh Trophy in 1966, 1968, and in 1970 scoring 3 goals.

At the club level, he represented Mohammedan Sporting and helped them win the Kalinga Cup (1964), DCM Trophy (1964), Sri Krishna Gold Cup (1965 and 1966 in Patna), the Independence Day Cup (1969 in Nowgaon), the Bordoloi Trophy (1969 and 1970), the Sait Nagjee Trophy (1971), and the Narayana Trophy in 1971. He netted 35 goals for Md. Sporting.

He also donned the green and maroon jersey for Mohun Bagan in 1967 and 1968 and scored 4 goals for the Mariners. In the process, he was part of the triumphant squad in Rovers Cup (1968), Amrita Bazar Trophy (1968), Dr HK Mookherjee Trophy (1968), and the Babu Kuer Singh Shield in Patna in 1968.