(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan to Compete in Four-Nation Football Tournament in Maldives
Pakistan has confirmed its participation in a four-nation international football tournament set to take place in the Maldives next month, providing the national team with valuable match experience ahead of upcoming regional competitions.
The event, titled the Independence Cup, will be held from June 1 to June 10 as part of the Maldives’ Independence Day celebrations. Alongside Pakistan, the tournament will feature host nation Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh U23.
The competition is expected to serve as an important platform for Pakistan to gain match practice against familiar South Asian opponents. It will also allow the coaching staff to evaluate player combinations, test squad depth, and build momentum in a competitive environment.
Pakistan enters the tournament following a recent 2-1 victory over Myanmar in a behind-closed-doors match at the Jinnah Sports Stadium in Islamabad, marking a positive end to their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign.
However, despite the win, Pakistan had already been eliminated from qualification and finished at the bottom of Group E with two points from five matches. The team faced defeats against Saudi Arabia and Syria in both home and away fixtures, while their matches against Afghanistan ended in draws. Pakistan had also lost 1-0 to Myanmar earlier in the qualifiers.
The upcoming tournament in the Maldives offers Pakistan a fresh opportunity to regroup, improve performance, and gain international exposure as they prepare for future competitions.
