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India Football Federation: Former India defender Ilyas Pasha died on Thursday following a long illness, the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) informed, expressing condolences on his passing. He was 61 and is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons.

Pasha, a dedicated and soft-spoken footballer, built a notable career in the defensive position that requires resilience and composure. Mainly playing as a right wing-back, he was known for his precise timing, calm attitude, and sharp game awareness. Unfazed under pressure, Pasha’s disciplined positioning and careful tackles made life difficult for opposing left wingers, giving his goalkeepers more confidence.

At the international level, Ilyas Pasha made his senior India debut on January 27, 1987, against Bulgaria in the Nehru Cup at Kozhikode. He earned a total of eight international caps, participating in two Nehru Cup tournaments (1987 and 1991), the 1991 SAF Games, and the 1992 Asian Cup qualifiers.