The Pakistan Men’s National Team turned on the style in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Maldives as the Shaheens earned their first win of the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament.
Not only was this Pakistan’s first win after 962 days, it was also the Shaheens’ first win over Maldives since the 1991 SAF Games final.
The first half saw Pakistan gain territorial ascendancy but the Shaheens were unable to break the deadlock. Things turned around in the second half, when Hayyan Khattak’s rasping drive saw the Maldives keeper spill the ball and Umer Nawaz was there to poach the ball and bundle it home.
The first Pakistan goal saw Maldives going on the offence to equalise, which saw them create two clear cut chances that could not be converted. However, Maldives were also leaving huge spaces in the field, and substitute Abdul Samad Arshad caressed the ball past the keeper in the 83rd minute.
The third goal came off a deflected shot when another substitute, Harun Hamid, saw his shot deflect off a defender in the 87th minute and go beyond a hapless Maldives keeper.
This completed Pakistan’s first win in well over two years. And gave Head Coach Nolberto Solano his first win as Pakistan head coach.
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani congratulated the Pakistan team for their victory and hoped they will carry on in the same vein against Afghanistan in their next match on Saturday.