In a historic FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match held in Islamabad on Tuesday, Pakistan secured a remarkable 1-0 victory over Cambodia. This win marks Pakistan’s first-ever triumph in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, creating a buzz in the football world.
The decisive moment of the match occurred in the 67th minute when Harun Hamid, with great finesse, scored the winning goal for Pakistan. It was a moment of jubilation for the home team and their passionate fans.
The first leg of the encounter between the two nations had ended in a goalless draw in Cambodia. However, Pakistan displayed a determined effort and clinched victory in front of their home crowd.
One notable absence in the second leg was star forward Otis Khan, who was unable to participate due to a lack of clearance from FIFA. Surprisingly, this was a repeat of the first leg, as Khan had been deemed ineligible by FIFA despite holding a Pakistani passport. Khan’s eligibility had been based on his paternal grandfather, Kanwar Jamil Mohammed Khan, who was born in Delhi and later migrated to Pakistan following the 1947 partition, eventually settling in Manchester.
Prior to this historic victory, Pakistan had not hosted a FIFA/AFC World Cup Qualifier since 2011 when Bangladesh played at the Punjab Stadium. This triumph serves as a turning point for Pakistan football and provides fresh hope for the future.
Looking ahead, Pakistan’s journey in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers continues as they prepare to face formidable opponents in Group G. Their upcoming clashes will be against Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tajikistan in the next round of qualifiers.
Here is the squad that contributed to this historic victory:
Goalkeepers:
- Usman Ali
- Salman ul Haq
- Yousaf Butt
Defenders:
- Mamoon Moosa Khan
- Mohibullah
- Sohail Khan
- Juniad Shah
- Ali Khan Niazi
- Rao Umar Hayat
- Abdullah Iqbal
- Easah Suliman
Midfielders:
- Alamgir Ghazi
- Ali Uzair
- Rajab Ali
- Nizamuddin
- Harun Hamid
- Rahis Nabi
Forwards:
- Waleed Khan
- Mohammad Waheed
- Yousuf
- Fareed Khan
- Abdul Samad
- Otis Khan
- Moin Ahmed
- Shayak Dost
This momentous victory is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire Pakistani football team, as they strive to make their mark in international football history. The nation eagerly awaits their upcoming matches with enthusiasm and pride.
