In a historic victory, Pakistan’s men’s football team has advanced to the second round of World Cup qualifiers after defeating Cambodia 1–0 in Islamabad. This marks the first time that the national team has won a qualifying game, sparking jubilant celebrations both on the field and in the stands at Jinnah Sports Stadium on Tuesday.
The match was fiercely fought, and after a goalless draw in the first leg in Phnom Penh, the tension was high. However, in the 67th minute, Harun Hamid showcased his skills with a stunning half-volley, securing a victory for Pakistan in their first home game since 2015. The local talents like Muhammad waheed, omer hayat, alamgir ghazi, and shayek dost also displayed exceptional performances, contributing to the team’s success. Additionally, Captain Esah demonstrated exceptional leadership by leading the Pakistani defense with his teammates. This win is a true testament to the collective effort of the entire squad.
Looking ahead, Pakistan will face tough competition in the second round as they go up against Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Jordan, with matches scheduled to begin in November.
This achievement is particularly significant for Pakistan, as they have struggled in international matches in recent years. Ranked 197th in the world, the team had not won an international game since 2018 and had been banned by FIFA for 15 months due to “undue third-party interference.” Last week, the appointment of Englishman Stephen Constantine as the new coach brought hope for a turnaround. Constantine, who previously coached India’s national team, successfully elevated their rank from 173rd to 97th and guided them to qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup.
It is worth noting that Pakistan’s victory is part of the Asian Football Confederation’s qualification process for the World Cup, where the 20 lowest-ranked teams compete in a two-leg, home-and-away series. Pakistan will be joined by nine other teams in the second stage of this thrilling journey.
In other matches, Singapore secured a 3–1 win over Guam, while Afghanistan defeated Mongolia 1–0, securing a 2–0 victory overall.
Although Yemen drew 1–1 against Sri Lanka, Asia’s lowest-ranked team, they had done enough in their home leg to advance with a comfortable aggregate score of 4–1.
This historic win not only brings joy to Pakistani football fans but also marks the return of international football to the country after an eight-year hiatus. Despite being a cricket-loving nation, the success of the men’s football team has undoubtedly reignited the passion for the sport in Pakistan.