Pakistan U23s once again struggled in their ongoing 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup campaign with yet another defeat at hands of Group G hosts Cambodia.
After losing 8-1 to Iraq on opening day with simply 9 men left to fend for themselves for the last 30 minutes, Pakistan came into their second game needing a positive result.
Head coach Nolberto Solano was in the stands after getting red-carded by the referee during the Iraq-Pakistan game. Assistant coach Gohar Zaman took charge was forced to play with a haphazard defence with Haseeb Khan’s injury and Mohibullah Afridi’s suspension.
This was a more even contest, even though Cambodia had more of the ball for much of the game. Pakistan had the first sight at goal in the 19th minute when Adeel Younas found space on the right but rushed his shot and could only find the side netting.
Cambodia found the opening goal in the 31st minute when Mon Rado surged down the left flank and cut into the box before seeing his shot blocked by stand-in captain Junaid Shah but Devit Yem was in the right place to hook home from close range.
Pakistan went in search of the equaliser in the second half and came close through Muhammad Adeel’s header in the 49th minute before Furqan Umar’s effort was cleared off the goal line as Cambodia held on for the win.
In an earlier game, Iraq maintained their lead in Group G after a narrow 1-0 win over Oman to give them 6 points. Cambodia is now second on 4 points, Oman third on 1 point, and Pakistan fourth with 0 points from two games each.
Pakistan now play Oman in their final AFC U23 qualifiers game on Tuesday, September 9.