BY FPDC
Pakistan’s young guns put in a brave performance against the Thailand U-21’s but failed to register a result in their first game of their fortnight long Thai tour.
From what FPDC’s International Correspondent learned through sources in Thailand, the team played well with Vice Captain Rizwan Asif putting in a man of the match performance.
The Thai team scored twice in the first half as Amir Gul kept goal for the Green Shirts in the opening 45 minutes.
After the interval Coach Tariq Lutfi brought on Internationally based Yousuf Butt having brought on Irfan Khan at 41′ with both impressing much. Irfan Khan played aggressively and broke down the Thai mid-field’s passing game. The Bradford Star helped in Jadeed Khan’s goal which gave Pakistan a chance to get something out of the game. Jadeed’s finish was an accurate shot beating the Thai number 1 all square on his goal-line.
Attacking Mid-Fielder Rizwan Asif made some impressive runs throughout the game and was instrumental in creating opportunities for Pakistan.
Yousuf Butt kept a second half clean sheet, not letting any shot go past him into the Pakistan net and organized the defence brilliantly and gave them confidence and cues from the back.
All in all the result is really positive considering the Asian Games team lost to Thailand 6-0. But still all that matters really is the result and Mr. Lutfi and the boys will need to master a turn around in fortunes so that their target of defeating Malaysia in Olympic Qualifying is realized. The Pakistani team plays two more friendlies in Thailand before heading off to Kuala Lampur.
Line up- GK- Amir Gul, LB- Ihsanullah, RB- Faisal, CB- Alamgir, Manzoor RW- Rizwan, LW- Jadeed, CM- Ansar, Adil, Mahmood FW-Kalimullah
Subs:
Tauseef for Mahmood 37min
Irfan for Adil 41st min
Yousuf for Amir Gul 45mins
Saddam for Jadeed and Fahadullah for Irfan again after he was booked.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBDy3asH618[/youtube]