Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Teams: Pakistan vs Saudi Arabia
Date: Nov 16, 2023
Venue: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium
Introduction:
Today, Pakistan faced off against Saudi Arabia in a crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match. Pakistan, led by captain Otis Khan, had a tough challenge ahead as they looked to secure a positive result against a strong Saudi Arabian side. The match was filled with anticipation, and both teams were eager to showcase their skills in pursuit of World Cup qualification.
Minute-by-Minute Report:
0′ — The match kicks off with Pakistan playing a surprising touch, as Shayek Dost takes the kick-in.
2′ — Saudi Arabia mounts an early attack, but Pakistan’s defense averts the danger with a good clearance.
3′ — Saudi Arabia dominates possession, maintaining control of the game.
4′ — Pakistan’s defense faces pressure from Saudi Arabia’s attacking players but manages to hold firm.
5′ — Saudi Arabia opens the scoring with a goal from number 11, Al Shehri. Pakistan’s defense collapses, allowing the opening goal.
7′ — Shayek Dost receives a yellow card for a foul near the midline, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s dominance.
9′ — Umar collides with a Saudi Arabia player, but fortunately, no foul is given.
10′ — Pakistan’s defense makes a crucial block, thwarting a dangerous Saudi Arabia attack.
12′ — Maran beats Pakistan’s defense and unleashes a shot that flies over the post.
14′ — Saudi Arabia maintains possession, with Pakistan attempting to disrupt their attacks at times.
15′ — Samad provides a headed opportunity for Fareedullah, but it narrowly misses the target. The battle continues.
16′ — Junaid helps Pakistan regain possession and passes the ball to Samad in the attacking third, but his shot is intercepted by Saudi Arabia’s strong defense. A collision during the play forces a temporary stoppage.
19′ — Saudi Arabia quickly regains possession and plans another attack, but Pakistan’s defense clears the danger with a well-executed clearance from Umar Hayat.
22′ — Junaid sets up a nice pass to Fareedullah, but the whistle blows for an offside decision.
24′ — Despite Saudi Arabia’s continued possession dominance, Pakistan’s defense remains resilient with Alamgir Ghazi providing a good passback to his teammate.
25′ — Saudi Arabia keeps possession near the midfield, looking to build up another attack, but Pakistan’s defense holds firm, preventing any immediate danger.
27′ — Otis Khan displays excellent dribbling skills despite being persistently pressed by Saudi Arabia’s players, ultimately losing the ball.
28′ — Abdullah Iqbal shines in Pakistan’s defensive third with a great defensive play, clearing another shot.
32′ — Pakistan’s defense deserves credit for successfully blocking Saudi Arabia’s attacking efforts.
34′ — Abdullah Iqbal once again steps up with a superb clearance, showcasing Pakistan’s resilience.
35′ — Fareedullah struggles to make an impact while being pressed by Saudi Arabia’s defenders.
36′ — Otis Khan and Samad attempt to combine and create a scoring opportunity, but they are outmuscled by Saudi Arabia’s strong defense. Otis Khan wins a free kick from a left flank.
38′ — Pakistan shifts into a defensive phase, with several players staying in their defensive third to prevent another goal.
39′ — Abdullah Iqbal successfully stops an opposition attacker, while Yousaf Butt quickly collects the ball. Pakistan continues to strive to avoid conceding another goal.
40′ — Pakistan struggles to retain possession when they have the ball, losing it within a minute. They need to improve their ball retention.
41′ — Otis Khan passes from the right flank to Fareedullah, who fails to reach the ball before the opposition defender. Pakistan should not waste such chances.
42′ — Saudi Arabia looks to launch an attack but fails to create a proper shot, easily cleared by Pakistan’s goalkeeper, Yousaf Butt.
43′ — Otis Khan delivers a powerful long-range shot from the right flank, but there is no one in the opposition penalty area to collect it. Pakistan fails to capitalize on this opportunity.
45′ — Samad passes the ball to Shayek on the left flank, who crosses it, but unfortunately, Otis Khan is not at the intended location.
46′ — Alamgir complains about a foul not given to a Saudi Arabia player, but the referee dismisses it.
First half additional minutes: 3 minutes.
46+ — Abdullah Iqbal makes a crucial clearance, demonstrating Pakistan’s determination to protect their goal.
46+ — Saudi Arabia’s number 11 passionately attempts to mount an attack, but Pakistan successfully prevents any danger.
Halftime — Despite Pakistan conceding an early goal, they displayed great resilience throughout the first half, restricting Saudi Arabia to a 1–0 lead.
Second half begins…
47′ — Mamoon fouls number 11 in the penalty area, resulting in a free kick for Saudi Arabia. The kick is taken from outside the box by the same player, who scores, extending Saudi Arabia’s lead to 2–0. A difficult moment for Pakistan.
50′ — Drama unfolds as Yousaf Butt saves multiple shots on target, preventing Saudi Arabia from adding to their lead.
51′ — Umar Hayat receives a yellow card and expresses his frustration.
52′ — Yousaf Butt moves forward, launching a shot with number 11 ahead. Unfortunately, it goes over the post.
56′ — Saudi Arabia continues to keep possession, slowly building their attack. Pakistan’s defense blocks a shot effortlessly, collected by Yousaf Butt.
59′ — Samad and Harun attempt to create an attack but are stopped by Saudi Arabia’s resilient defense. Harun receives a yellow card in the process.
62′ — Pakistan’s defense displays brilliance in stopping Saudi Arabia’s attacks.
63′ — Saudi Arabia makes two substitutions, one of which sees the goal scorer, Al Shehri, being substituted. He performed exceptionally well tonight.
63′ — Saudi Arabia is awarded a free kick from the left flank, but Mamoon clears the shot comfortably.
66′ — Harun shows good passing skills briefly, but Pakistan needs more of this from him.
68′ — Otis Khan passes to Alamgir, who tries a header on goal but fails to trouble Saudi Arabia’s defense. Pakistan came close to scoring.
70′ — Radif receives a yellow card for fouling Yousaf Butt, who was attempting a shot from his box.
72′ — Samad passes to Junaid in their own half, but Junaid loses the ball due to an uncalculated pass. Pakistan must maintain possession.
72.5 — Saudi Arabia presses once again, but Pakistani defenders are alert this time, preventing any further danger.
74′ — Otis Khan displays brilliant dribbling skills, earning Pakistan a free kick. Harun delivers a well-struck shot with his left foot that is collected by the Saudi Arabian goalkeeper. Pakistan came closest to scoring here.
76′ — Harun attempts to pass to Otis Khan on the right flank, but the ball gets deflected, depriving Otis Khan of a chance to control it.
77′ — Saudi Arabia’s number 13 deflects a pass towards the post but misses. The ball flies past the post.
82′ — Otis Khan passes to Shayek, who tries to put the ball into the net, but it is collected by the goalkeeper.
83′ — Otis Khan takes the ball to the opponent’s half, but it is intercepted near the halfway line.
86′ — Saudi Arabia goes into attacking mode, pressing Pakistan in their own half, potentially searching for their third goal before the final whistle.
89′ — Mamoon clears the ball, and Saudi Arabia earns a corner. Pakistan tries to keep it away from their half.
90′ — Five minutes of added time.
91′ — Ghareb scores from outside the box, giving Saudi Arabia their third goal. Pakistan had no chance to stop him.
92′ — Pakistan manages to get possession momentarily in Saudi Arabia’s half, but it is cleared easily. Pakistan remains goalless.
93′ — Saudi Arabia continues to press for another chance, but Pakistan clears the ball. Otis Khan rolls the ball towards Saudi Arabia’s goal, but to no avail.
95′ — In a remarkable turn of events, Radif scores the fourth goal for Saudi Arabia, beating the Pakistani defense in the last minute.
The match concluded with Saudi Arabia securing a dominant 4–0 victory over Pakistan in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Despite a resilient defensive effort, Pakistan faced challenges in their offensive play, resulting in missed opportunities. The team will need to address these issues for future fixtures. Facing a strong opponent like Saudi Arabia provides valuable experience for the team as they progress in the qualifiers.