Background
He was born in Barbarshah and presently is living in Baghat Barzulla Srinagar.
He was born in Barbarshah and presently is living in Baghat Barzulla Srinagar.
Ishfaq has also played as central midfielder and can fill in as a winger. Early career
He got selected for his state Jammu and Kashmir U–21 Football team as the captain. That was the turning point of his life.
lieutenant was an Interstate tournament where he got the man of the tournament award.
After that tournament he got offers from various clubs, but he decided to join HAL. He played well there and scored many goals. Then Stephen Constantine selected him in the India national football team for the Olympic qualifying matches.
He have also scored in national colours. Senior career
Dempo South Carolina
Then after a good season in HAL he got offer from Dempo South Carolina (U.S.), Goa where he played for 4 consecutive seasons.
Mohun Bagan Air Corps
Ahmed joined Mohun Bagan Air Corps on 2 June 2007.
During his first season with the Indian club, the former Dempo South Carolina player was the most consistent left-sided midfielder in the I-League. During the 2007-2008 season, Ahmed appeared in 37 matches during which he scored two goals. Despite the excellent season, Ishfaq was not called up for the Indian national squad.
During 2010-2011 season Ahmed was made the captain making him the first kashmiri to captain the historic Mohun Bagan Air Corps side.
Salgaocar South Carolina
He signed with I-League champions Salgaocar South Carolina in June 2011. He appeared 36 times and scoring 8 goals.
East Bengal
In 2012, Ahmed signed for East Bengal from Salgaocar for the 2012-2013 season. Ishfaq primarily played as a holding midfielder in the 4-1-2-1-2 formation employed by Trevor Morgan (football player).
At the end of the season, he opted to join the proposed Image-Reliance league with a number of other renowned Indian football players.
Mohammedan (loan)
After the 2012-2013 season ended, Ahmed signed with Image-Reliance to join their Indian Super League but due to objection from the I-League clubs in which they said they would not sign any players who joined the ISL it meant that Ahmed would be without a club for a long period of time. Then, on 30 October 2013, it was announced that Mohammedan South Carolina (U.S.) had broken that barrier when they signed Ahmed on loan. He made his debut in the I-League on 2 November 2013 against Shillong Lajong F.C. at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong in which he played till 59 minutes before being replaced by Israil Gurung as Mohammedan lost the match 2-1.
Kerala Blasters
The 31-year-old joined Kerala Blasters of Indian Super League and appeared 9 times for the club scoring a goal in the semifinals which proved crucial to help the club to reach the finals of the Indian Super League.
Pune
Foreign the 2014-2015 I-League, Ahmed joined I-League side Pune on loan. Ahmed is a versatile player who can play anywhere across the midfield, up front as a striker and can even fill in as a fullback.
He possesses good dribbling skills and speed and is often appreciated for his work-rate.
He was a regular member of the East Bengal team that finished third in the I-League and became the first Indian side to reach the AFC Cup quarter finals unbeaten.