A generic image of football.
Former India footballer Mohammed Zulfiqaruddin, who was a part of the fourth-place finishing team in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, passed away here Sunday.
He was 83 and survived by three sons and two daughters.
As a 17-year old, Zulfiqaruddin was a part of the Indian squad which had finished fourth in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. But he did not play any match.
India lost to Bulgaria 0-3 in the bronze-medal match in Melbourne to finish fourth, a result considered one of the finest moments in the country's football history.
Zulfiqaruddin made his international debut in 1959 at the Merdeka Cup in against Singapore. He represented India in three International matches, and scored one goal. He was also a part of the Indian team in the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games.
At the domestic level, he was captain of Andhra Pradesh in various editions of the Santosh Trophy and won it thrice -- in 1956, 1957 and 1965. He scored 15 goals overall, including one goal in the final of the 1965 edition held in Quilon.
At the Club level, he represented Hyderabad City Police and Andhra Police and won Rovers Cup four times, the Durand Cup twice and the DCM Trophy once.
In his condolence message, AIFF President Praful Patel said: "It is sad to hear that Mr. Zulfiqaruddin is no more. His contribution to Indian football will never be forgotten. I share the grief."
A condolence meeting was also held at the Telangana Football Association office and it was attended by the office bearers.
