Pakistan’s men’s football team made history at the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia, earning their first point and scoring their first goals in a FIFA tournament. Playing in Group B of Division One with Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, Pakistan finished fourth with one point.
The results
Thailand 4-0 Pakistan
Pakistan opened with a heavy defeat against one of Southeast Asia’s strongest sides.
Pakistan 2-2 Philippines
Two goals down at half-time, Pakistan, ranked 198th, fought back against the 135th-ranked Philippines. Ali Akbar Khan pulled one back and Abdul Samad Arshad completed the comeback, Gulf News reported.
Vietnam 4-2 Pakistan
At the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Mohibullah Afridi gave Pakistan a 31st-minute lead. Vietnam replied with four goals, and Kaleemullah Khan added a late second for Pakistan, The Express Tribune reported.
Why the tournament mattered
The 14-team FIFA ASEAN Cup, held from September 24 to October 5, brought together the 11 ASEAN members and three guests, including Pakistan, Geo reported. For a team that plays few international matches, three competitive games against higher-ranked opponents were valuable.
What needs to change
- A domestic league: coaches have long said Pakistan cannot compete without a regular professional league.
- More fixtures: friendlies in every FIFA window would help players build match fitness.
- Youth pathways: the squad mixes home-based and overseas players. Developing home-grown talent is the long-term answer.
Read our column on Pakistan football and more in Football.
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