Lahore, 16 December: Sana Mehmood-led Pakistan snatched semi-final spot when they put up fine display to overwhelm Afghanistan 3-0 in their second Group-B match of first SAFF Women Football Championship at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh on Thursday. Pakistan will now collide with India or Bangladesh in the semi-final.
Khalida Popal-led Afghans failed to put hurdles on Pakistan attacks and conceded three goals, one of them was scored by Robina Irfan’s daughter Shlyla Baloch.
Midfielder Malaika Noor landed the opener in the 21st minute when the girl from Young Rising Star hit the back of the net when she faked her way in for a spectacular goal. Balochistan United’s midfielder Shlyla Baloch consolidated the lead in the 40th minute. Pakistan led 2-0 at interval. Islamabad FA’s skipper Mejzgaan Orakzai, daughter of IFA President Dr. Fazal Ur Rehman, rounded off the tally 15 minutes from time.
It is fantastic triumphs for Pakistani females as before the departure to Cox’s Bazar. Kabul’s International Security Assistant Force (ISAF) headquarters hosted a match between Afghan team and a pick-up team of women from ISAF on 29 October 2010.
The Afghan team management, who requested the match, envisioned the exhibition game as an opportunity to practice against friendly international competition in preparation for SAFF Championship. When approached, ISAF members were eager to support the Afghan team. “We admire the courage, tenacity and fearlessness of these Afghan women,” said US Air Force Capt. Alexa Quandt, an ISAF women’s team member and event coordinator. “They are truly an inspiration with their perseverance and dedication.”
The Afghan women team, founded in 2004, played in third Pakistan National Women Championship in August 2007. Since then, the team has continued to seek new challenges to hone their skills and demonstrate their resolve to continue playing the game they love.“Afghans should be proud of their women’s football team,” said Brigadier General Chris Whitecross, the senior female officer in ISAF Communications. “This match is a great way for them to showcase their skills.”
Earlier, The Afghan team competed in the football tournament organized by Discover Football in Berlin from 6-13 July 2010. What would have been unthinkable just a few years ago has been made possible thanks to successful cooperation between German sport experts and the Afghan football association
Earlier in Group-A, Bangladesh were imperious in their 9-0 triumph, India dismissive in their 7-0 victory as both sides eased into the semifinals, even before what is now an academic group clash on Friday.
The Indian continued their rampaging form to thrash Sri Lanka 7-0 and book a berth in the semifinals.After hammering Bhutan 18-0 in the opener, India recorded their second straight victory to march into the last-four.
The rout started in the first half itself as India pumped in four goals to push their opponents to the back-foot.They never allowed Sri Lanka to settle in the match after that and added three more goals to their tally in the second half.
Sasmita Mallick was once again the star as she scored a superb hat-trick (18th, 30th and 45th minute), while Pinky bagged a fine brace (51st and 60th minute).Bala Devi (second minute) and Tababi Devi (49th minute) too got their name on the scoresheet by netting a goal each.
Bangladesh pulverize Bhutan 9-0 with striker Aungmra Ching Marma completed her hat-trick in the first half as she slotted in the 13th, 16th and 30th minutes. Sabina Khatoon scored a brace in 20th and 91st minutes. Suinu Pru Marma netted in 46th and 50th minutes while Farhana Khatan also joined the goal glut with goals in 41st and 76th minutes of the proceedings. Bangladesh will now face the India in their final group match on December 17. The result of the match will decide which team will be the group champion and runners-up respectively.
Friday (17 Dec) Fixtures: Sri Lanka vs Bhutan 11:05 AM , Bangladesh vs India 2:30 PM
Good work… Impressive…
come on girls, make a water tight defence against nepal! best of luck, all the duas and support of footballpakistan is with you :)
they should play with attackking style and packed midfield.
Girls you have done the Nation proud, so happy for you!
this is a great comment and i totally agree with it
Can u tell the names of fathers n mothers of remaining players and their posts//designations?
Hahaha yeah I agree
subhanallah, but they are performing well :D
Please ask Abiha Haider as she is in Cox’s Bazar
Come on Naila Rani. Go into scoresheet. Your Training is in hands of great, great trainer Mughammad Talib who should be trainer of Pakistan football team
i have only one thing to say “now i ahve 1000 in purse”. got it?
you’ve been betting? ;)
Be ready to be trashed by India.
Abeeha Haider Please tem me and footbal pakistan.com the first chice eleven players against Maldives and Afghans
Abiha Haider, Faiza Mehmood. Pl. tell first choice eleven players in both matches against Maldives and Afghans
Men Lost to Afghanis in South Asian Games but Pakistani females took revenge. SALUTE TO SANA AND OTHERS
that was cricket and this is football.
No, it was football, not cricket
Congratulation to Sana Mahmood ©, Asmaa Usman, Syeda Mahapara, Malaika Noor, Asmara Habib, Sahar Zaman, Shumaila Sattar, Naila Rana, Humera Nazir, Nadia Bhatti, Mehwish Khan, Hajra Khan, Marium Laghari, Shahida Ghulam Raza, Shelyla Baloch, Mejzgaan Orakzai, Abeeha Haider, Ishrat Fatima fot back to back wins
well dne mr wahidi!
how come col ahmed yaar’s daughter not in team?
Faisal, this team has been selected on merit not on relationships. One can see the performance. Please start seeing glass half filled not half empty. My regards.
Pakistan lost 12-0 today to Nepal. Things don’t look good for the semi-final with India, who are even better than Nepal.
Yes Team was selected on merit not on relationships.. and we got the best coach of Pakistan as are coach.. SIR TARIQ LUTFI….. Under whom The Team Played Semi fr da first time.. winning or loosing is not the thing.. Thing is that u play ur game, A Fair Game, For Ur Nation, For ur Country, For Ur People And in The End For Ur-self….. V Played Good Gamess we won from 2 Teams Better Then us.. v Dont mid if v Loose Frm India And Nepal.. Cuz They were most Stronger, senior And Obviously Powerful Teamzz… Atleast V Played Jitni Hamari Training thi v plyed better then that.. And V Made our Coach proud, Our Nation Proud, Our Country Proud……
PAKISTAN ZINDABAD…..
And inshallah jahan tak hua pakistan ka name roshan kerain gay martay waqht tak…….
you did make us proud but the day you guys(girls) stop saying, ” v Dont mid if v Loose Frm India And Nepal.. Cuz They were most Stronger, senior And Obviously Powerful Teamzz…” and start MINDING IT. You’ll be released of the mental block to your development :)