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KARACHI:
Pakistan created historical past on Tuesday as they defeated Cambodia 1-0 on the 2026FIFA World Cup qualifier first spherical match, Harun Hamid scored the winner for the host at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad.
The group was taking part in their World Cup qualifier at residence after 12 years and this was additionally the primary worldwide match that Pakistan performed at residence in eight years, the final one being in 2018, a pleasant towards Afghanistan.
The England-born Hamid scored the winner within the 68th minute as he slipped the ball easily by way of the Cambodian goalkeeper.
Pakistan pulled off an upset of kinds as they, ranked nineteenth on the earth, defeated Cambodia, ranked 177.
The boys in inexperienced performed a goalless draw within the first leg earlier, and with the 1-0 win within the second leg, they received the tie 1-0 on mixture.
With this win Pakistan additionally broke their depressing shedding streak of of their final 13 matches out of which eight have been performed from Novemeber 2022 June this 12 months. All through this era they conceded 18 targets and scored just one, which was towards Djibouti in a pleasant.
The 2026 World Cup may also be the primary time 48 groups will bew featured in the primary occasion with a brand new format.
However on the continental entrance, Pakistan joined Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tajikistan in Group G, whereas second-round matches will start on November 16.
Pakistan Soccer Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee (NC) employed the skilled Englishman Stephen Constantine lower than three weeks earlier than the tie, and the previous Indian Nationwide group coach delivered his promise to the group.
The PFFNC employed the 61-year-old solely for the World Cup qualifier, and he has pulled off a stellar efficiency from the gamers, who have been underdogs in the whole affair.
Pakistan doesn’t have knowledgeable league that may feed top-notch gamers for the nationwide aspect, and the nation doesn’t have a single worldwide customary stadium can host matches. Nonetheless, Constantine confirmed his experience correctly regardless of the restricted choices.
The primary leg Pakistan performed as guests towards Cambodia was brilliantly defensive, whereas the group appeared extra spirited within the residence tie.
They have been cautious within the first half, however obsolutely held their very own within the second half towards a consolidated Cambodian group.
Throughout a press convention with reporters, Constantine had stated that the amenities and the assets are restricted in Pakistan , however he would do his greatest with the given pool of gamers.
“I’m so pleased with this group. That is such an enormous achievement,” exclaimed Muhammad Adil, Pakistan’s former midfielder who has performed for FC Dordoi. He had predicted the rating to be 1-0 in favor of Pakistan earlier than the match. He was reacting to the win, very like everybody else in the neighborhood.
“We performed 4 World Cup qualifier matches, and we now have all the time misplaced them badly in my time with the nationwide group, however watching Pakistan qualify for the second spherical is simply out of this world for me. I used to be watching the match, however my expressions and aggression have been the identical as if I have been within the area with them.
“The gang was superb.
“However the credit score goes to Constantine for enjoying the match so superbly, making the fitting modifications, the goalkeeper Yousaf Butt performed so effectively, and Harun actually has been essential for us. There must also be a recognition for the final head coach of the group Shahzad Anwar. He constructed this group and Constantine has continued with these boys in fact each coach chooses his taking part in 11 and technique in response to his system, so, superb work. I really feel there is likely to be a minimum of six replacements within the squad, however let’s see, the subsequent spherical is correct across the nook.”
Adil hoped that this might be a brand new starting for Pakistani soccer, whether or not Pakistan progressed to the third spherical or not, he stated that the crowds on the stadium had proven on Tuesday that they’d come to help the group.
“I can think about what the soccer followers can really feel when Saudi Arabia and all the opposite groups will come to play in Pakistan as effectively. That is good for the footballers too, that we’ll lastly get to play amongst higher groups, even when we lose within the subsequent spherical there’s a lot extra we’re gaining from this win,” stated Adil.
In the meantime, the PFF headquarters in Lahore had been confiscated by the Punjab Board of Income on Tuesday because the group was making historical past in Islamabad.
The lease problem has been plaguing PFF NC since 2021.
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