Tag: Pakistan Football

AL AHSA: Pakistan football team were thrashed by a dominant Saudi Arabia team 4-0 during the first match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium.

Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Al-Shahri earned an early lead for the home team with a 6th-minute goal, however, the Pakistan team fought valiantly throughout the first half to not avoid further damage.

The home team dominated the second half from the start as Al-Shahri once again got his name on the scoresheet after converting a penalty in the 48th minute to extend the lead for his side.

Pakistan team showed a gutsy performance in the second half however Saudi Arabian team did not allow them to propel in the absence of the team’s defender and captain Eash Suliman.

Saudi Arabia scored two late goals to extend the margin of victory to 4-0 as Abdul Rahman Ghareeb netted in the 91st minute, followed by Abdullah Radif’s goal in the 96th minute.

It ends in defeat. #pakistanfootball #dilsayfootball #shaheens #weare26 pic.twitter.com/TzeyVd8djC

— Pakistan Football Federation (@TheRealPFF) November 16, 2023

This was the first time Pakistan played in the second round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers, after defeating Cambodia in the first round.

Pakistan last played against Saudi Arabia in 1978 at the latter’s home and suffered a 6-0 thrashing.

Besides Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, placed in Group G, will face Jordan and Tajikistan. Each team will take on the rest of the teams twice on the basis of home and away leg.

The top two teams from the qualifying round will progress to the third round, in which 18 teams will be divided into three groups.

Whereas, the bottom two sides will advance into the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Pakistan’s next FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier is scheduled against Tajikistan in Islamabad on November 21.

READ: Uruguay hand Argentina first loss since World Cup 2022 triumph

AL AHSA: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) unveiled Pakistan’s lineup for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

Pakistan, who will feature in the second round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier, will be lead by Otis Khan while their hero of the first-round victory over Cambodia, Harun Hamid, has been benched.

Yousuf Butt will serve as the goalkeeper and will be supported by four defenders Umar Hayat, Mamoon Moosa, Abdullah Iqbal and Junaid Shah.

Pakistan’s lineup features two midfielders Alamgir Ghazi and Rahis Nabi while the skipper will lead the four-man attack, comprising Shayek Dost, Abdul Samad and Fareed Ullah.

This is how the Shaheens line up against 🇸🇦#pakistanfootball #dilsayfootball #shaheens #weare26 pic.twitter.com/mvJ801NI7V

— Pakistan Football Federation (@TheRealPFF) November 16, 2023

For the unversed, their highly-anticipated clash against Saudi Arabia will mark their first appearance in the second round of the Asian Qualifiers.

On the contrary, Saudi Arabia is one of the most dominant side of the continent, having played six FIFA World Cups.

The West-Asian side also upset Lionel Messi’s Argentina in last year’s World Cup.

The second-round fixture between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will be played here at the Al-Fateh Stadium. The match starts at 7:30 pm local time or 9:30 pm Pakistan Standard Time (PST).

Pakistan last played against Saudi Arabia in 1978 at the latter’s home and suffered a 6-0 thrashing.

Besides Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, placed in Group G, will face Jordan and Tajikistan. Each team will take on the rest of the teams twice on the basis of home and away leg.

The top two sides will then proceed to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers.

Whereas, the bottom two sides will advance into the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Pakistan head coach Stephen Constantine earlier this week acknowledged Saudi Arabia as a tough opponent but expressed his hope of doing well against them.

“There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia are a tough side and we will try to make our best effort against them,” stated Constantine.

“We had a few good days here and a week at Islamabad and hopefully we will put in our best,” he added.

READ: Miller’s ton rescues South Africa to 212 in semi-final against Australia

LAHORE: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Saturday, named renowned England-based coach Stephen Constantine as the national men’s team’s head coach.

The announcement came after the PFF removed the previous manager Shehzad Anwar, due to the national team’s poor performance in recent times.

Consequently, Stephen Constantine takes the reigns of Pakistan football, just 12 days before their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers’ first leg in Cambodia on October 12, followed by their home leg on October 17.

The Pakistan Football Federation, in order to provide Pakistan with the best chance of winning the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Cambodia, is proud to present to you our new Men's National Team Head Coach: Stephen Constantine. pic.twitter.com/MNpibCPXaK

— Pakistan Football Federation (@TheRealPFF) September 30, 2023

 

“In order to provide Pakistan with the best chance of winning the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Cambodia, the Pakistan Football Federation named Stephen Constantine as the new men’s national team head coach,” stated in a press release.

“Stephen, who is a legend in South Asia having taken India from 176 to 96 in the FIFA rankings, has also been an elite FIFA instructor since 2000. He brings the very top-tier professional experience and his familiarity with our region allows him to have an immediate impact.

“Stephen has agreed to join PFF with a singular focus for now – to win qualifiers against Cambodia. The away and home-based leg between Pakistan and Cambodia will be played on the 12th and 17th of October in Cambodia and Pakistan, respectively.

“PFF would also like to thank and appreciate Shehzad Anwar, for the very hard and difficult task of resurrecting Pakistan men’s national team football in just one year. Without his hard work and passion, our team would not be ready to rise to the next level.”

Stephen Constantine is one of the most accomplished coaches in Asia. He coached the Nepal national team for two years before taking over the Indian football team.

The England-based coach led India to silver medal at the 2003 Afro-Asian Games in 2003 and then to the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship glory in 2016.

Under his coaching stint, India also won the Intercontinental Cup in 2018.

Stephen Constantine also coached notable football teams like Premier League’s AFC Bournemouth.

READ: Asian Games 2023: Pakistan lost to India, bags Silver in Squash

KATHMANDU: Pakistan will face Bhutan in the first semi-final of the ongoing South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U19 Championship 2023.

The much-anticipated semi-final between Pakistan and Bhutan will start at 12:45 PM (Pakistan Standard Time) on Wednesday, the same day, India will be squaring off against hosts Nepal in the second semi-final of the SAFF U19 Championship 2023.

Pakistan booked their spot in the final four of the ongoing tournament by holding Maldives for a 1-1 stalemate.

The Green Shirts started their second SAFF U19 Championship 2023 fixture on a high as they dominated the possession for a notable period but failed to convert into a goal.

Pakistan’s error in conversion allowed the Maldives to capitalize on the situation and they successfully netted the opener in the 39th minute, courtesy of a brilliant outside-of-the-box finish.

Maldives went into the break with a 1-0 lead over Pakistan.

In the second half, Pakistan made numerous efforts but were denied the equalizer by the strong Maldives defence.

Pakistan, however, finally got luck in their favour when Shah Jahan netted the equalizer late into the game before pulling off an animated celebration.

Earlier this week, Pakistan scripted a triumphant start to their SAFF U19 Championship 2023 campaign with a thrilling 1-0 victory over hosts Nepal.

Pakistan and Nepal went hard at each other in their SAFF U19 Championship fixture and showcased thrilling skills and tenacity before the former prevailed.

With a thrilling victory over Nepal, Pakistan ended a 12-year-long victory drought in an international match.

Pakistan’s U19 team last secured a victory on the international stage in 2011, when they defeated India’s U19 team.

Midfielder Ali Zafar netted the lone goal in the 74th minute, which turned out to be the difference maker between the two sides, who appeared inseparable in the first half.

Besides Ali Zafar, Pakistan’s goalkeeper Sahil Gul played a pivotal role in his team’s triumph over Nepal, denying several threatening efforts from the home side.

The ongoing SAFF U19 Championship 2023 is being held at the Dashrath Stadium here from September 21 to 30.

For the unversed, this is the fifth edition of the SAFF U19 Championship, a highly competitive international football tournament for men’s under-19 national sides, organised by the SAFF.

India are the defending champions, having won their second title in 2022 by defeating Bangladesh in the final.

Pakistan Squad for SAFF U19 Championship 2023

Goalkeepers: Sahil Gul, Mohsin Khan and Muhammad Abdullah

Defenders: Muhammad Sadam, Muhammad Adeel, Asad Nasir, Ans Amin, Khurshid Alam, Muhammad Raheel, Shayan Ali, Kamil Ahmad Khan, Abid Ali, Hannan Naveed and Najeeb Ullah

Midfielders: Ali Zafar, Muhammad Azan and Awais Khan

Forwards: Shahjahan, Muhammad Hassan, Faisal Ahmad, Abdul Wahab, Muhammad Haroon Zafar and Muhammad Adeel Younas

Team Officials: Shadab Ifthikhar (Head Coach), Mohsan Ul Hussnain (Assistant Coach), Khurram Shahzad (Goal Keeper Coach), Aamna (Media), Muhammad Abdullah and Muhammad Samama (Physio) and Zohair Gondal (Team Manager).

READ: PCB writes to ICC over non-issuance of visas for ICC World Cup 2023

THIMPHU: Pakistan’s 23-member squad on Friday reached here to participate in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U16 Championship 2023.

According to the details, the contingent reached the Bhutan capital, via Doha, on Friday afternoon.

They will now embark on their SAFF U16 Championship campaign on September 2 against hosts Bhutan before taking on Maldives on September 4.

Notably, Pakistan’s fixtures against Bhutan and Maldives were scheduled a day prior but a delay in the issuance of the NOC to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), resulted in the tweaks to the schedule.

DG PSB Shoaib Khoso asserted that the delay in the issuance of the NOC was due to incomplete documents provided by the PFF.

The PSB then issued the NOC on Wednesday after the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination shared that it had received approval from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior.

A week prior, the PFF announced a 23-member squad for the SAFF U-16 Championship 2023.

Pakistan Squad for SAFF Under-16 Championship

Defenders: Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Hasnain Saleem, Najeem Khan, Sameer Ahmed, Obaidullah Khan, Majid Ali, Syed Mohammad Abis Raza, and Umar Javed.

Midfielders: Abdul Samad, Mohammad Faraz, Farhad, Haroon Rashid, Hikmatullah, Khabib Khan, M. Shahab Ahmed and Muhammad Khan.

Forwards: Abdul Ghani, Hasnain Wali Raza, Subhan Karim and Syed Kabir Ali Shah

Goalkeepers: Adil Ali Khan, Balach Khan and Ghulam Abbas.

The 2023 SAFF U16 Championship is the 8th edition of the tournament and will be played from September 1 to September 10 in Thimphu, Bhutan.

India are the current champions as well as the most successful team in the tournament’s history, having won the tournament in 2022, 2019, 2017 and 2013.

Meanwhile, Pakistan won the inaugural edition of the SAFF U16 championship in 2011.

READ: Erling Haaland, Aitana Bonmati win UEFA Player of the Year prizes

Pakistan men’s football team will depart for Mumbai on Tuesday evening to participate in the upcoming South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship, scheduled to take place from June 21 to July 4.

According to the details, the national football team will depart from Mauritius Island in the evening today to Mumbai.

Upon their arrival in Mumbai, Pakistan men’s football team will then fly to Bengaluru where the eight-team SAFF Championship 2023 will take place.

Earlier, the Pakistan team received a two-day delay in the issuance of the Visas due to which they could not depart for Bengaluru as per schedule on Sunday.

Pakistan will start their SAFF Championship campaign against arch-rivals India on June 21 before taking on Nepal and invitee Kuwait.

Notably, the Pakistan football team are currently in Mauritius where they participated in the four-nation tournament.

The national team failed to impress in the four-nation tournament as they remained winless in the entire competition, losing to Mauritius, Kenya and Djibouti respectively.

After concluding their campaign in the four-nation tournament, the Pakistan men’s football team will mark their return to the SAFF Championship after missing the last two out of the 13 editions held since 1993.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) could not send its men’s team for the 2015 edition held in India due to the lack of funds.

The national side then missed the 2021 edition as they were serving a suspension from FIFA, which was lifted last year in June.

Sri Lanka will not be participating in the tournament as they are serving a suspension from the football governing body FIFA, while Afghanistan left SAFF and joined the Central Asian Football Federation.

READ: Schedule, venues for Pakistan Test tour of Sri Lanka unveiled 

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) issued No-objection Certificate (NOC) to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Friday to participate in the upcoming South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in India.

The Ministry IPC issued the notification, addressed to the Director of Pakistan Sports Board Shoaib Khoso, on Friday.

Upon receiving the NOC from the ministry, Pakistan men’s Football team will now depart for Bengaluru, India on June 18 from Mauritius for the SAFF Championship 2023, scheduled to run from June 21 to July 4.

The national team’s players, alongside coaches and support staff, have already submitted the Visa application to the Indian embassy in Mauritius.

Notably, the Pakistan football team are currently in Mauritius to partake in the four-nation tournament.

The green shirts have thus far played two matches and are yet to taste the triumph as they succumbed to straight losses against host Mauritius and Kenya, the highest-ranked team in the aforementioned tournament.

The second defeat in the tournament means that Pakistan have been knocked out of the tournament but will face Djibouti in their last fixture on June 17.

After concluding their campaign in the four-nation tournament, the Pakistan men’s football team will mark their return to the SAFF Championship after missing the last two out of the 13 editions held since 1993.

The national team has been drawn with India alongside invitee Kuwait and Nepal in Group A while Group B features Bangladesh, Bhutan, Lebanon and Maldives.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) could not send its men’s team for the 2015 edition held in India due to the lack of funds.

The national side then missed the 2021 edition as they were serving a suspension from FIFA, which was lifted last year in June.

Sri Lanka will not be participating in the tournament as they are serving a suspension from the football governing body FIFA, while Afghanistan left SAFF and joined the Central Asian Football Federation.

READ: Zakir, Najmul fifties give Bangladesh huge lead over Afghanistan

Shumah Moses scored in Kenya’s 1-0 victory over Pakistan, which succumbed to their second straight defeat in the ongoing four-nation tournament in Mauritius.

Kenya’s Shumah Moses, ranked 103rd in FIFA rankings, capitalised on a throw-in to score the game’s opening goal in the 17th minute.

His brilliant strike handed Kenya an early lead and they dominated the possession for most of the match to bar Pakistan from scoring an equalizer.

Pakistan’s Hassan Bashir had the best chance to score for his side and level the scores in the 39th minute but he spilt.

The green shirts made several desperate attempts in the second half to draw level with Kenya but all went in vain as Kenyan defence stood solid.

The second defeat in the tournament means that Pakistan have been knocked out of the tournament but will face Djibouti in their last fixture on June 17.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan, ranked 195, are the lowest-ranked team, participating in the ongoing four-nation tournament.

Whereas, Kenya (102nd) are the best-ranked team in the tournament, followed by hosts Mauritius (180th) and Djibouti (193rd).

READ: Najmul Shanto ton guides Bangladesh to 362-5 against Afghanistan

Pakistan are placed in Group D with Japan, and Palestine and hosts Bahrain for the qualifiers of the AFC under-23 Asian Cup 2024 in Qatar. 

A total of 43 teams, divided into ten groups of four and one group of three, will play the Qualifiers, scheduled from September 4 to 12 later this year.

The official draw was held at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The anticipation echoes through all 4️⃣2️⃣ sides as the 2024 #AFCU23 Qualifiers Draw concludes!

📆 September 4-12, 2023

1️⃣5️⃣ spots are up for grabs. Who will join hosts 🇶🇦 Qatar in the Finals? pic.twitter.com/HCecWVo7pK

— #WAC2026 (@afcasiancup) May 25, 2023

Each group will be played at a centralized venue in a single round-robin format. The 11 group winners and four best second-placed teams will join the hosts Qatar for the showpiece event.

The U23 AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2024 will take place between April 15 and May 3 next year.

Pakistan will play the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers for the first time since 2015.

READ: Rodrygo late strike gives Madrid 2-1 La Liga win over Rayo

LAHORE: Former Manchester United youngster and Grimsby Town attacking midfielder Otis Khan is all set to represent the Pakistan men’s football team in the upcoming international events, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) confirmed on Tuesday.

Otis Khan played a pivotal role for the Mariners to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals this season and is likely to be available for Pakistan in the friendly competition in Mauritius and the ensuing South Asian Football Federation Championship (SAFF).

He began his career playing youth football at Manchester United before making the switch to professional football with Sheffield United.

Taking to Twitter, the PFF confirmed that Otis Khan will represent the national team in upcoming events.

“OTIS KHAN IS GREEN!” wrote PFF.

“The Grimsby Town attacking midfielder will now be representing the Shaheens in the upcoming international events!” PFF added.

OTIS KHAN IS GREEN! 🤩🇵🇰

The Grimsby Town attacking midfielder will now be representing the Shaheens in the upcoming international events! ⚽️🦅

Leave a message for Otis in the comment section below and make sure to follow him:https://t.co/7yDzYsMhXp#wearepakistanfootball pic.twitter.com/UHghVlsKic

— Pakistan Football Federation (@TheRealPFF) May 23, 2023

 

Before Otis Khan, former England Youth captain Easah Suliman was also cleared to represent Pakistan at the international level after FIFA approved the request made by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) to change his national eligibility.

The Aston Villa academy graduate is poised to turn out for the Pakistan football side at next month’s South Asian Football Federation Championship (SAFF).

It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan men’s team will make their return to the SAFF Championship after missing out on the previous two editions.

The Shaheens have been drawn with India alongside invitee Kuwait and Nepal in group A.

The SAFF Championship will take place from June 21 to July 4 in India. Pakistan will collide with the host nation India in the tournament opener in Bengaluru, before facing Kuwait and Nepal.

Pakistan’s last encounter with India was also at the SAFF Championship, back in 2018, with India winning it 3-1.

READ: Fatima Sana to captain Pakistan in emerging women’s T20 Asia Cup