Arif Mehmood
Arif Mehmood is a Pakistani former footballer who played as a striker. He has been the top-scorer in the Pakistan Premier League five times, leading the charts in 2004-05 [Pakistan Premier League|2004–05], 2006–07, 2007–08, 2009–10 and 2010–11.
Early life
Mehmood was born on 21 June 1983 in Multan in the Punjab province of Pakistan. He completed his studies from Government Comprehensive [Boys High School, Samanabad|Government Comprehensive Boys High School] and graduated in engineering from Government Technology College.Club career
Mehmood started his career with the amateur team Young Gulshan Multan, from where WAPDA scouted him and selected him in their youth team in 1998. Mehmood got called up to the senior team in the 2004-05 Pakistan Premier League season, where he scored 20 goals in 30 appearances, earning the top-scorer award. WAPDA won their first Premier League title and fifth league title, Mehmood contributing substantially to the title win. WAPDA qualified for the 2005 AFC President's Cup after winning the league. They were placed in Group B, with Blue Star SC, FC Dordoi Bishkek and Phnom Penh Crown FC. Mehmood scored two goals in three appearances, which included the only goal of the match against Dordoi Bishkek.In 2005-06 Pakistan Premier League season WAPDA finished Army FC, and repeating the same feat in 2006-07 Pakistan Premier League, although this time Mehmood finished as top scorer after scoring 19 goals in 20 appearances.
Mehmood won the league for a second time in 2007-08 Pakistan Premier League after beating Army in the last day of the season and winning the league by 1 point. Mehmood was again the top scorer, scoring 21 goals in 26 games. WAPDA qualified for 2008 AFC President's Cup where they finished bottom of the group.
Mehmood got his hands on more silverware after winning the league again in 2008-09 Pakistan Premier League season. In this process they qualified for 2009 AFC President's Cup. Mehmood scored a brace against Taiwan Power Company, WAPDA won the game 1–3, finishing second in the group. WAPDA once again faced their group Regar-TadAZ in the semi-finals, WAPDA lost the game 4–3 in extra time with Mehmood scoring the second goal for WAPDA and third goal of the match in the 84th minute.
In 2009–10, WAPDA ended third position but Mehmood was declared the top scorer for the fourth time with 20 goals. In 2010–11, Pakistan WAPDA was able to claim the title of national champion for the sixth time thanks to Mehmood's 21 goals.
International career
Mehmood was first selected for the Pakistan national under-19 team in 2000 and went to Sri Lanka. Later played in the 2002 Asian Games – Men's tournament|2002 Asian Games] in South Korea.Mehmood earned his first senior international cap in 2003 during the 2006 [FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers] in a 0–2 loss against Kyrgyzstan. He scored his first international goal in a 3–0 victory against India in 2005.
He was also called by the Pakistan under-23 national team for the 2004 South Asian Games|2004 South Asian Games], where he helped Pakistan win the gold medal.
Career statistics
International goals
Senior
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | |
| 1 | 18 June 2005 | Punjab Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan | 3–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | ||
| 2 | 10 October 2008 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 1–4 | 1–4 | Friendly | ||
| 3 | 8 December 2009 | Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh | 3–0 | 7–0 | 2009 South Asian Football Federation Championship | ||
| 4 | 8 December 2009 | Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh | 4–0 | 7–0 | 2009 South Asian Football Federation Championship | ||
| 5 | 8 December 2009 | Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh | 7–0 | 7–0 | 2009 South Asian Football Federation Championship | ||
| 6 | 21 March 2011 | MBPJ Stadium, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia | 1–0 | 1–3 | 2012 [AFC Challenge Cup qualification] | ||
| 7 | 25 March 2011 | MBPJ Stadium, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification |