(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan Defeats Maldives 3-0 to Secure First International Win in 961 Days
Pakistan’s national football team earned a convincing 3-0 victory over the Maldives in the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament at the National Stadium on Thursday, ending a winless run of 961 days in international football.
The result marked a significant milestone for the team, delivering their first international win in over two and a half years. It was also the first victory under head coach Nolberto Solano.
The match began with both sides creating limited clear chances, although Pakistan controlled possession for much of the first half. Despite their territorial advantage, the score remained level at halftime, with the Maldives showing resilience on counterattacks.
Pakistan broke the deadlock early in the second half when Hayyan Khattak’s powerful attempt was not properly handled by the goalkeeper, allowing Umer Nawaz to capitalize on the rebound and score the opening goal.
Following the breakthrough, the Maldives increased their attacking efforts in search of an equalizer, but Pakistan maintained defensive discipline to preserve their lead.
In the closing stages of the match, Pakistan extended their advantage in the 83rd minute when substitute Abdul Samad Arshad calmly finished a well-placed opportunity to make it 2-0.
Four minutes later, another substitute, Harun Hamid, added a third goal after his effort deflected off a defender and found its way into the net, sealing a comfortable win for Pakistan.
Head coach Nolberto Solano praised his team’s discipline and patience, noting that maintaining structure and focus played a key role in the result.
Team captain Abdullah Iqbal also highlighted the importance of maintaining defensive organization after taking the lead, emphasizing the team’s improved balance between attack and defense.
The victory is expected to boost confidence within the squad as they continue their campaign in the tournament and look to build momentum in upcoming fixtures.
