Anwar Ali (footballer, born 2000)
Anisa Anwar Ali (born 28 August 2000), known as Anwar Ali, is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Indian Super League club Goa, on loan from Delhi, and the India national team. Club career. Minerva Punjab. Early career. Born in Adampur, Punjab, Ali started to play football at the age of seven in a local club. Started as a striker, later shifted to defensive line. He joined the youth set-up of Minerva Punjab in 2015 and played for the club in different youth level completions including the Elite League . His performance at the club earned him national call-ups. Indian Arrows (loan). After an impressive 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign, Ali joined Indian Arrows on a season-long loan from Minerva Punjab ahead of the 2017–18 I-League. He made his professional debut in a 3–0 home win over Chennai City. Mumbai City. On 7 August 2018, Ali joined Indian Super League club Mumbai City on a three-year deal. He was loaned out to Indian Arrows ahead of the 2018–19 I-League. He was named in Mumbai City squad for the 2019–20 Indian Super League season, but  later withdrawn after diagnosed with a rare heart condition. Mohammedan SC. On 24 August 2020, Ali joined Mohammedan for their 2020 I-League Qualifiers, but the club had received an official letter from the AIFF directing them not to allow him to train with the team citing his heart condition. Despite of Ali getting a verdict from the Delhi High Court which allowed him to join the team, Mohammedan chose to release him considering directions from the top football body. Techtro Swades United. On 23 November 2020, Ali joined Techtro Swades United of Himachal Football League in a short-term  contract. He appeared twice for the club in the league. Delhi FC. On 21 May 2021, Ali joined Delhi FC on five-year deal. After being allowed by the AIFF to return to competitive football, he featured in the 2021 Durand Cup and helped Delhi to reach knockout stage. He became the top scorer of 2021 I-League Qualifiers after scoring four goals from seven appearances. FC Goa. On 1 January 2022, Ali joined Indian Super League club FC Goa on an eighteen-month loan from Delhi FC He made his debut in a 1–0 home win over Chennaiyin. International  career. Youth. In 2015, Ali was called up for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup preparatory squad of India under-17, after head coach Luís Norton de Matos impressed with his defensive display for Minerva Punjab youth side against India u-17 in a practice match. Two successful years with the national side saw him in the final 21-member squad for the U-17 World Cup which was hosted in India He started in all of India's group stage matches. He scored the winner in India under-20s historical 2–1 win against Argentina u-20s in the 2018 COTIF Tournament. Senior. In May  2019, Ali was called up for India senior team national camp, but later sent back after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition. In March 2022, Ali was called up for the national squad by coach Igor Štimac ahead of India's two friendly matches against Bahrain and Belarus. He made his debut on 23 March against Bahrain in their 2–1 defeat.