LAHORE: Pakistan’s U17 football team has departed for Bhutan to compete in the SAFF U-17 Championship, scheduled to take place in Thimphu from September 20 to 30.
In a last-minute rush, the team received their No Objection Certificate (NOC) just an hour before their flight. They traveled from Islamabad via Dubai and are set to kick off their campaign against Nepal on September 21. Following this, Pakistan will face Bhutan on September 23 and Sri Lanka on September 25.
Pakistan, the 2011 champions, are fielding a well-rounded squad for the tournament. Key defenders include Abdul Rehman, Mohammad Husnain Saleem, and Najeem Khan, while midfielders Abdul Samad, Haroon Rashid, and Shahab Ahmed will play pivotal roles in supporting the team’s play.
Forwards Abdul Ghani, Sharaf Khan, and Mohammad Talha Khan will lead the offensive charge. The goalkeeping duties will be shared by Adil Ali Khan, Kashif, and Ghulam Abbas.
The SAFF U-17 Championship serves as a key platform for emerging football talent in South Asia. Pakistan’s participation, however, was uncertain until the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) secured the NOC from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), just in time for the team’s departure.
