So the visitors win the first game at Punjab Stadium, Lahore 2-1 as Pakistan fail to convert some good chances to score at the end. Sorry for not being able to get a dedicated stream for the game because PTV decided to tape the game for a later broadcast!
Palestine went 2-0 up in first half thanks to a free kick from Atif Abu-bilal and then a penalty from Husam Wadi. But Pakistan fought back to win a penalty of their own which the impressive Muhammad Tauseef converted before half time. The game was a lot more open in 2nd half but both sides failed to score more.
Over all, Palestine were the better side but Pakistan should have utilised their chances at the end. Thank you for joining us for this broadcast. Special thanks to FPDC Lahore Correspondents Gauhar Mahmood Azeem for providing me updated text messages about match progress. We will bring pics of the game soon by tomorrow!
The next game is at Peoples Stadium, Karachi on 4th March with 4 PM kick off. Wonder if PTV will show that game at least!
FULL TIME: Palestine hang on for 2-1 win!
Stoppage time: Pakistan miss two very good chances to equalise. Qais missing the target from a freekick, and then from a corner
Jadeed Khan Pathan has been a disappointment this game. Tauseef and Rizwan impressing, match made better with inclusion of Ahmed Akber (who apparently is 27!)
Match into last 10 minutes. Palestine looking comfortable playing defensive.
77′: Ahmed Akber Khan, the first half sub from Australia, is now being replaced by Muhammad Qais. Ahmed receiving a round of applause from fans. Strange move by Tariq Lutfi in substituting a susbtitute….
74′: Great spell of play by Pakistan as they are playing a lot better now as the match enters its last 15 minutes. Home side is dominating with Palestine defending in numbers.
73′: Rizwan Asif’s shot blocked by Palestinian player that would have surely tested their goalkeeper!
68′: Palestine miss another good chance to extend their lead. Game still delicately poised at 2-1 in favour of visitors.
65′: Game is still 50-50 as the score remains 2-1 in favour of visitors. Pakistan’s passing is being intercepted well by the Palestine side as they look comfortable sitting back and waiting for us to make a mistake.
According to many of our fans, even PTV National is NOT showing the game! All that hype and talk by PFF, and PTV decide to snub the first international sporting event in Pakistan for years like an unneeded step child! Though we will not rule out a delayed transmission by PTV for the game. Still very disappointing! We deserved live coverage.
Palestine keeping the ball. Pakistan running hard but to no real advantage.
52′: Palestine miss two great chances to extend their lead! One shot hits the bar, the other misses the target.
2nd Half Begins!
HALF TIME: Pakistan 1-2 Palestine.
After a quick start from the hosts, Palestine slowly found their way into the game as their side began to dominate possession in midfield and scored twice from a freekick by Atif Abu-bilal and the penalty by Husam Wadi as it looked like it would be a one-sided rout.
As expected, our midfield played clumsy as they conceded possession too easily and had trouble facing the more well-organised Palestine side, who are actually ranked BELOW Pakistan.
But Pakistan managed to win a penalty of their own which Tauseef converted. The goal has helped Pakistan get back in the game in front of a charged crowd at Punjab Stadium! Lets see what 2nd half brings.
45′: Pakistan almost equalises! Rizwan Asif misses the target! Should have done better.
Pakistan playing a lot better now with as the 1st half comes to a close with Palestine leading 2-1.
43′: Ahmed Akber Khan (player from Sydney FC, Australian A-League) comes on for Pakistan. He was a last minute addition to the squad for these games who met the side in Bangkok, Thailand when the team was preparing for the game against Malaysia in late February. Surprise package.
38′: GOAL FOR PAKISTAN! Muhammad Tauseef scores from penalty spot to make the score 2-1. Can Pakistan do their fightback??
37′: Pakistan win a penalty! Faisal Iqbal brought down by Palestine defender!
The funny thing is, while PTV National is the one broadcasting the game (and none of us know how to get it), PTV Global is showing the morning transmission of variety show Meena Bazar with Ayesha Sana which features the Palestine and Pakistan team delegations as well as PFF Director Marketing Sardar Naveed Haider Khan right now!
30′: Husam Wadi of Palestine makes it 2-0!
29′: Pakistan concede penalty. Manzoor fouls Palestine player inside the box!
25′: Not surprisingly, Palestine are REALLY dominating the game now! Pakistan has failed to gain back possession, or even touch the ball in last 5 minutes!
23′: Palestine take the lead with a free-kick by Atif Abubilal! Pak goalie Omer helpless as the visitors go 1-0 up!
After the initial surge of Pakistan attacks, it is now the visitors Palestine who are dominating the game with their possession as they push forward towards Muhammad Omer’s goal.
Palestine nearly take the lead as they miss a one-on-one chance.
Palestine win two quick corners as they try to get a hold of tempo as Pakistan look to hit them with fast breaks.
Pakistan have impressed in first 5 minutes of the game with two swift counter-attacks seeing shots from Mehmood Khan and vice-captain Muhammad Rizwan Asif just going off target!
Around 4,000-5,000 people already inside Punjab Stadium in the Floodlit thriller!
Match has begun!
5 minutes left before kick-off!
Line-ups: PAKISTAN (4-3-3)
Omer (GK); Faisal Iqbal,Alamgir,Manzoor,Ahsanullah; M. Adil, M. Tauseef, Mehmood Khan; Jadeed Khan Pathan (C), Saddam Hussain, M. Rizwan Asif (VC)
PALESTINE
Abdullah al-Saidawi, Ahmed Mahajana, Samer Hisi, Ismail al-Amour, Khader Abuhamad, Suleman Obaid, Atif Abubilal, Murad Said, Muhammad Ali Shatrit, Jamal Allan
Welcome to FPDC Live Updates of the Pakistan vs Palestine friendly game live from Punjab Stadium, Lahore today on 1st March 2011.
The game is broadcasting live on PTV National with 7 PM PST (GMT+5) kick off time. Unfortunately, there are no known internet streams of PTV National available. If you have any streams that work, PLEASE ADD THEM IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION.
Thanks.