Venue: Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu, Bhutan
Event: Group B, U-17 SAFF Championship
Pakistan entered the match sitting comfortably at the top of Group B with 4 points after a win and a draw. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, having lost both their previous games, had nothing to show for and were under immense pressure to deliver a result. A win or a draw for Pakistan would secure their advancement to the next stage, while Sri Lanka fought for pride. Pakistan donned their traditional green kits, and Sri Lanka took to the field in white.
1st Half:
1′ – Pakistan started with high energy, and Abdul Samad found himself in a great position inside the Sri Lankan box. However, he failed to convert what could have been a dream start for Pakistan.
4′ – A slow build-up by Pakistan eventually created an opportunity, but the Sri Lankan defense stayed firm. Pakistan began dictating the pace, moving the ball fluidly.
5′ – Pakistan continued their high pressing game, unsettling the Sri Lankans in midfield, keeping possession, and disrupting their flow.
7′ – A slick passing sequence from Pakistan, advancing the ball up the pitch. They retained good control but were unable to break through the defense.
9′ – Sri Lanka attempted to launch an attack, but Pakistan’s defense remained solid, clearing the ball effectively.
11′ – Khobaib took a free kick from the right flank, and a teammate rose to head it, but it was well off-target, posing no threat to Sri Lanka.
12′ – Sri Lanka replied with a dangerous free kick. Pakistan’s goalkeeper Kashif had to punch the ball away under pressure, creating another set-piece situation just 25 yards out.
13′ – Sri Lanka’s free kick ricocheted off the wall, offering Pakistan some breathing space, but the pressure wasn’t fully relieved, with the Sri Lankans still in control.
14′ – Pakistan responded with a shot on goal, but the loose attempt rolled wide of the right post, lacking precision.
16′ – Sharaf Khan sent a decent cross into the Sri Lankan box, only for the defense to clear it efficiently.
18′ – Muhammad Talha burst forward with incredible speed, laying off a pass to Abdul Samad. Samad fired a shot, but it was deflected by the Sri Lankan goalkeeper. Pakistan won a corner, and the resulting header from the captain flew over the bar.
20′ – GOAL! Subhan Karim, who had already scored twice in the tournament, found the net again. Abdul Samad provided the assist with a neat cut-back from the left side of the box. Subhan, stationed perfectly on the right side of the 6-yard box, finished with confidence. Pakistan took the lead, 1-0.
23′ – Sri Lanka tried to respond, venturing into Pakistan’s half, but their attack was easily thwarted by Pakistan’s backline. Sri Lanka still retained possession, looking for an opening.
24′ – Subhan Karim again drove forward down the left flank, launching a shot on goal, but the Sri Lankan goalkeeper gathered it cleanly.
25′ – Pakistan’s relentless pressing forced Sri Lanka into mistakes, maintaining control and putting the opposition under immense pressure.
26′ – Talha dribbled past Sri Lanka’s defense but held onto the ball too long. A pass to Subhan could have been the better option, but the Sri Lankan goalkeeper did well to intervene and clear the danger.
28′ – Ubaid Ullah attempted a header from a set piece, a free kick delivered from the right flank, but it went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
29′ – Samad passed to Khobaib inside the box, but Khobaib’s shot was wild, flying well off target.
30′ – GOAL! Talha doubled Pakistan’s lead with a superb header. Saeed Kazmi whipped in an accurate cross from the left side, and Talha, perfectly positioned inside the 18-yard box, made no mistake, nodding it past the Sri Lankan goalkeeper. Pakistan led 2-0.
32′ – Sri Lanka tried to claw their way back into the game, advancing into Pakistan’s half, but their efforts yielded nothing substantial.
33′ – The scoreboard read 2-0, with Sri Lanka struggling to find any rhythm and Pakistan looking dominant.
35′ – GOAL! Talha turned provider this time, delivering a beautiful assist from the right side. Subhan Karim, lurking on the 6-yard box, slotted it in for his second of the match. Pakistan now led comfortably, 3-0.
37′ – Pakistan nearly scored again, but Shahab Ahmed was flagged offside. Talha’s assist for the disallowed goal was another sign of Pakistan’s dominance.
39′ – Saeed Kazmi was having an excellent game, contributing both defensively and offensively, delivering dangerous crosses and assisting one of the goals.
42′ – Sri Lanka had possession but continued to struggle. Pakistan’s defense stood strong, and Sri Lanka had yet to create any serious threat.
44′ – Abdul Samad produced a clever cut-back from the right side, leading to a corner. The resulting header narrowly missed the target.
45+2′ – In the dying moments of the half, Sri Lanka made a push to create something, but Pakistan denied them any real chances.
Half-Time: Pakistan 3-0 Sri Lanka
2nd Half:
46′ – GOAL! Right at the start of the second half, Pakistan made it 4-0, though it was an own goal. Subhan Karim’s cut-back from the left side led to a Sri Lankan defender mishitting the clearance, putting the ball into his own net.
55′ – GOAL! Abdul Ghani scored a sensational goal to put Pakistan 5-0 ahead. He received the ball just outside the 6-yard box, dribbled past a defender, and finished beautifully. This was arguably the best goal of the match.
57′ – Pakistan made a double substitution, with Ubaid Ullah being replaced. Khobaib took over the captain’s armband as Pakistan appeared to be cruising.
60′ – Abdul Samad showed off some impressive dribbling in midfield, further frustrating Sri Lanka as Pakistan continued to dominate.
63′ – With a five-goal lead, Pakistan looked comfortable, but they were careful not to relax too much, remembering the late goal they conceded in the previous match.
64′ – Sri Lanka earned a free kick just outside the box, but their effort curled wide of the right post.
66′ – Pakistan missed a chance from a corner, resulting in a goal kick for Sri Lanka.
69′ – Pakistan maintained control of possession, keeping Sri Lanka pinned in their own half and rarely allowing them any breathing room.
72′ – Pakistan engaged Sri Lanka’s goalkeeper with a long-range shot, but the effort was easily collected.
76′ – GOAL! Sri Lanka finally got on the scoreboard. Zafarullah scored from the right edge of the 6-yard box, beating the Pakistani defense to make it 5-1. This was Sri Lanka’s first goal of the match.
85′ – Abdul Samad made a driving run along the left flank but was pulled back and fouled by a Sri Lankan defender, who received a yellow card. Pakistan’s resulting free kick led to a header by Talha that flew just over the bar.
88′ – Sri Lanka’s forward dribbled past Pakistan’s defenders, but his shot lacked the precision to trouble the goalkeeper, rolling harmlessly past the post.
89′ – Pakistan pushed hard in the final minutes, keeping up their intensity despite the large lead. Sri Lanka barely managed to keep them at bay.
90+2′ – Sri Lanka had one last attempt with a long-range shot, but it flew well over the crossbar.
Full-Time: Pakistan 5-1 Sri Lanka
Conclusion:
Pakistan delivered an emphatic performance, dominating from start to finish. Subhan Karim and Talha were the standout players, contributing goals and assists, while Abdul Ghani’s superb solo effort was the highlight of the match. With this victory, Pakistan comfortably advanced to the next stage of the U-17 SAFF Championship, while Sri Lanka bowed out with yet another defeat. The Shaheens now look ahead, brimming with confidence, after a performance that showcased their attacking prowess and defensive solidity.