Saddam Hussain (footballer)

For other people named Saddam Hussain, see Saddam Hussain (disambiguation).

Saddam Hussain (Urdu: صدام حسين; born 10 April 1993) is a Pakistani professional footballer who last played as a defensive midfielder for Oman First Division club Salalah SC.^[1] He also captained the Pakistan national team.

Saddam Hussain

Personal information
Full name	Saddam Hussain
Date of birth	(1993-04-10) 10 April 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth	Karachi, Pakistan[1]
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team	Salalah
Number	17
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2011	Pakistan Airlines	49	(19)
2011–2014	Khan Research Laboratories	97	(38)
2014–2015	Dordoi Bishkek	10	(2)
2015–2016	Isa Town FC	20	(0)
2016–2017	K-Electric
2017–2018	Gençler Birliği	30	(2)
2018–2022	Sui Southern Gas	18	(0)
2023–2024	Salalah
International career‡
2009	Pakistan U20	3	(0)
2010–2018	Pakistan U23	18	(3)
2011–2020	Pakistan	25	(0)
Medal record Pakistan International Airlines Runner-up Challenge Cup 2009 Pakistan Premier League 2010 Khan Research Laboratories Winner Pakistan Premier League 2012 Winner Challenge Cup 2012 Runner-up AFC President's Cup 2013 Winner Pakistan Premier League 2013 Dordoi Bishkek Winner Kyrgyzstan League 2014 Winner Kyrgyzstan Cup 2014 Winner Kyrgyzstan Super Cup 2014 Winner Ala-Too Cup 2015  Pakistan Philippine Peace Cup 2013
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:41, 22 March 2019 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:47, 24 March 2019 (UTC)

A versatile midfielder, Hussain has been praised for his defensive abilities, ball retention, and tackling.^[2]

Club career

PIA

Hussain began his career at Pakistan International Airlines, one of the main teams of his hometown Karachi.^[2] Hussain played an important role, taking PIA to third place in the 2010 season.

Khan Research Laboratories

He played for Khan Research Laboratories between 2012 and 2014, winning the Pakistan Premier League title in 2012–13, 2013–14 and Challenge Cup and 2012.

He also participated in the AFC President's Cup from 2012 to 2014. He was a member of the team which reached the 2013 AFC President's Cup final, after falling to Turkmen club Balkan FT by 0–1 in the final.

Dordoi Bishkek

In August 2014, Hussain signed a two-year contract with Dordoi Bishkek in the Kyrgyz Premier League.^[3] The debut of Hussain for Dordoi was held on 28 August in a friendly match against Ala Too. Saddam helped the team win a landslide victory 3–0.^[4] After the first season at the club, he won the following honours: which included the league title, league cup and super cup.

Isa Town

He joined Isa Town FC in Bahrain second division in 2015, making 20 appearances throughout the season.^[5]

K-Electric

In February 2016, Hussain returned to Pakistan joining K-Electric for the 2016 AFC Cup.^[6][7]

Gençler Birliği

At January 2017, he moved to Gençler Birliği S.K. in the Northern Cyprus top-tier KTFF Süper Lig on a year-long deal.^[8][9][10]

Sui Southern Gas

In 2018, he signed for SSGC F.C. where he went on to play for them and captained the team. The club was closed after the shutdown of departmental sports in Pakistan in 2021. After the restoration of departmental sports in Pakistan, SSGC terminated contracts of the players of the squad on 26 August 2022, including Saddam.^[11]

Salalah

On 16 September 2023, Hussain signed for Salalah SC which competes in the Oman First Division League which is the second tier in Omani football league pyramid on a one-year deal.^[12][13]

International career

2009–2015: Early years

Hussain first represented the Pakistan under-19 team as captain for the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship qualification in Tehran in 2009,^[14] under coach Gohar Zaman.^[15][16] He subsequently represented the Pakistan under-23 team in the 2010 Asian Games.

Hussain made his senior international debut for Pakistan in March 2011, in a 2–1 defeat against Palestine.^[1] He later participated in the 2011 SAFF Championship.^[17] In March 2013, he was included in the squad for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification. He was subsequently called for the 2013 SAFF Championship where he was praised for his performance, and the 2013 Philippine Peace Cup. He scored his first goal with the under-23 side in August 2014 in a friendly against India, which ended in a 2–0 victory.^[18] He was declared player of the match of the second friendly against India where he scored the goal, and player of the series in a two match friendly series in 2014 at Bangalore, India.^[19][20] He subsequently represented Pakistan in the 2014 Asian Games.

In 2015, he was a starter in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification against Yemen.^[21][22] In May 2015, Khan also participated in the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification, where he scored in a 3–1 victory over Kyrgyzstan.^[23]

2015–2019: Suspensions and captainship

Hussain missed international exposure for the next 3 years, as Pakistan was suspended from all football activities by FIFA on 10 October 2017.^[24][25] For three years since March 2015, Pakistan remained suspended from any international competition because of the crisis created inside the Pakistan Football Federation.^[25] Hussain along with other national team players meanwhile participated with Pakistan during local Leisure Leagues exhibitions matches involving Brazilian star Ronaldinho and Ryan Giggs in 2017.^[26][27]

In 2018, Hussain participated in Pakistan tour to Bahrain for test matches as a preparation for the upcoming tournaments, when his national side returned to international circuit after 3 years.^[28][29] He captained the under-23 side in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia in which he scored the second goal in a 2–1 victory against Nepal to pull off their first win in the Asian Games.^[14][30] In the 2018 SAFF Championship Hussain captained the Pakistan senior team, helping the side finishing the campaign sealing its place in the semi-finals.^[31] He terminated the year playing two friendly matches against Palestine. Saddam also featured with Kaká, Luís Figo, Carles Puyol and Nicolas Anelka during their visit to Pakistan in 2019.^[32]

2020–present

In January 2020, Hussain was named in Pakistan's squad for a two-match friendly tour in Malaysia against UKM and Felda United on 22 and 23 January respectively, which ended in a 2–2 draw and a 2–0 victory.^[33][34] This was before Pakistan were once again suspended from all football activities by FIFA on 7 April 2021. After the suspension was lifted on 29 June 2022, Hussain along with his teammate Saadullah Khan were excluded from the national football team camp, as they were unable to attend the trials of the national team where they were named, following the return to international football due to their ongoing court case against their former departmental club SSGC.^[35][36]

Career statistics

International

As of 24 March 2019^[37]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Pakistan	2011	5	0
	2012	0	0
	2013	8	0
	2014	3	0
	2015	3	0
	2018	6	0
Total		25	0

International goals

Youth

Scores and results table list Pakistan's goal tally first.

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
90'	20 August 2014	Bangalore Football Stadium, Bangalore, India	India	2–0	2–0	U23 Friendly
40'	20 May 2015	Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates	Kyrgyzstan	1–1	3–1	U23 2016 AFC Championship
72' (pen.)	19 August 2018	Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi, Indonesia	Nepal	2-1	2-1	U23 2018 Asian Games

Honours

Club

Pakistan International Airlines^[38]

• Pakistan Premier League: Third Place: 2010
• Challenge Cup: Runner Up: 2009

Khan Research Laboratories

• Pakistan Premier League: 2012, 2013
• Challenge Cup: 2012
• AFC President's Cup: Runner Up: 2013

Dordoi Bishkek

• Shoro Top League: 2014
• Kyrgyzstan Cup: 2014
• Kyrgyzstan Super Cup: 2014
• Ala-Too Cup: 2015

Country

Pakistan

• Philippine Peace Cup: Third Place: 2013

See also

• List of Pakistan national football team captains

References

1. "Saddam Hussain". National-Football-Teams.com. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
2. "Saddam Hussain and the revival of Pakistan football - FOX Sports Asia". 4 May 2018. Archived from the original on 4 May 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
3. "Saddam delighted after getting Dordoi contract". thenews.com.pk. The News International. 15 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
4. ^{[dead link‍]}
5. natasha.raheel (17 January 2016). "Without a professional league: Saddam Hussain fears for Pakistan's footballing future". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
6. "K-Electric sign Saddam Hussain ahead of AFC Cup play-off". the-AFC. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
7. "Ahead of AFC Cup: Saddam signs contract with K-Electric". The Express Tribune. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
8. Wasim, Umaid (26 January 2017). "Saddam sets sights on Turkey after joining Northern Cypriot side". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
9. Wasim, Umaid (9 March 2017). "Saddam enjoying 'competitive' Northern Cyprus experience". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
10. Raheel, Natasha (30 May 2017). "What Pakistan football stands to learn from tiny Cyprus". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
11. "Top footballers set to move Supreme Court after SSGC terminates contracts - Sports - SAMAA". 29 August 2022. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
12. "Pakistan footballer Saddam Hussain signs for Oman's Salalah Sport Club". The News International. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
13. "Saddam signed by Oman's Salalah club". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
14. Raheel, Natasha (19 August 2018). "Asian Games football: Pakistan bag first victory after 44 years". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
15. "PFF names Gohar as Pakistan U-19 coach". The Nation. 14 November 2009. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
16. "Gohar Zaman appointed U-19 football team coach". Brecorder. 14 November 2009. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
17. "SAFF Football Championship: Pakistan team leaves for New Delhi". Brecorder. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
18. "Pakistan stun India 2-0 to draw friendly football series". India Today. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
19. "Meek surrender by India". www.the-aiff.com. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
20. "Pakistan's Saddam Hussain roped in by Oman-based football club". www.geosuper.tv. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
21. "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Yemen-Pakistan". 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
22. "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Pakistan-Yemen". 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
23. Raheel, Natasha (20 May 2015). "AFC U23 qualifiers: Pakistan secure consolatory win over Kyrgyzstan". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
24. "FIFA suspends the Pakistan Football Federation". FIFA. 11 October 2017. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017.
25. Din, Tusdiq. "Three years without any football - can Pakistan recover?". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
26. "Riaz, Hassan strikes help Ronaldinho win series". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
27. "Pak players want payment for Leisure Leagues matches". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
28. Reporter, The Newspaper's Sports (18 July 2018). "Pakistan football team off to Bahrain". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
29. "Spirited Pakistan edged out by Palestine". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
30. Safi, Alam Zeb (31 March 2020). "Saddam laments lack of earnings for Pakistan footballers". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
31. Reporter, The Newspaper's Sports (1 September 2018). "Pakistan squad named for SAFF Cup". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
32. "Kaka, Figo, Anelka, Puyol hope to uplift football in Pakistan". The Express Tribune. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
33. Reporter, The Newspaper's Sports (23 January 2020). "Pakistan hold on for 2-2 draw against Malaysian club". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
34. Reporter, The Newspaper's Sports (24 January 2020). "Pakistan end Malaysia tour on a winning high". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
35. Reporter, The Newspaper's Sports (11 September 2022). "Saddam excluded as PFF NC announces shortlist for national team". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
36. "NC names 36 players selected for national camp". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
37. "Saddam Hussain – National Football Teams". National Football Teams. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
38. "S. Hussain". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 March 2015.

External links

• Pakistan national team profile Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
• Saddam Hussain at National-Football-Teams.com
• Twitter Profile
• Saddam Hussain at Global Sports Archive