Islamabad: The 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers Group E came to an end for the Pakistan men’s national team. At an empty Jinnah Stadium, on the directives of the government limiting public gatherings nationwide, Pakistan lost 2-1 to Myanmar.
Pakistan head coach Nolberto Solano, utilizing an almost entirely domestic squad, gave debuts to Ali Agha Hazara in midfield and Ahmed Salman as right wing back in a 5-3-2 formation. Last minute re-entry Shayek Dost partnered another debutant Syed Ali Raza up front, with midfielder Alamgir Ghazi donning the captain’s armband.
The first half saw a close contest between Pakistan and Myanmar, with the latter happy to sit back at times knowing they will finish 2nd in the group regardless of result. Yet, it was Pakistan who created several chances but failed to take the lead.
Midway through the first half, Alamgir Ghazi’s shot from outside the box stung the palms of the goalkeeper Zin Nyi Nyi Aung who had to save well. Minutes later, a cross from the left was headed down at the far post by Ali Uzair but Shayek Dost couldn’t find the connection to beat Zin who again saved well for Myanmar.
Pakistan ended the first half in the ascendancy with Shayek Dost again scuffing a half chance wide just before the break. With all to play for in the 2nd half, Solano made changes. Hayyaan Khattak replaced Ali Uzair to add creative spark in midfield while another debutant Rehman Manzoor replacing Ahmed Salman.
Yet within a minute from the restart, Pakistan goalkeeper Saqib Hanif conceded an own-goal after he was unable to deal with a seemingly routine back pass from defender Waqar Ihtisham Baloch.
The goal gave Myanmar the impetus to push forward and they got their second on the stroke of the hour to make it 2-0. Myanmar easily beat the offside trap as striker Than Paing turned in a Lwin Moe Aung cross from the right after going past Pakistan defender Syed Abdullah Shah.
Pakistan had to make further changes, with debutant Jeevan Khan, Moin Ahmed, and Tufail Shinwari replacing Ali Raza, Ali Agha, and eventually Waqar Baloch. Despite repeated attempts to reduce the deficit, Pakistan often left gaps that Myanmar exploited on the counter and could have increased their lead.
With seconds remaining, Pakistan pulled a goal back in the 90th minute when Shayek Dost headed in a pinpoint cross from Tufail Shinwari to make it 2-1. This was the first goal scored by Pakistan since Etzaz Hussain had scored against Afghanistan away from home back in October 2025. It was also a first ever international goal for Pakistan by the Nushki-Balochistan native Shayek Dost.
Pakistan, who were down to 10 men after Junaid Shah went off injured after all five substitutions had been made with almost 20 minutes still left, failed to test Myanmar even further in stoppage time. The visitors held on for a victory at the end.
Speaking after the match, Pakistan head coach Nolberto Solano defended goalkeeper Saqib despite the costly error.
“I am disappointed after the defeat, but I am proud of these boys. They played very well, especially in the intense first half,” he said, adding that mistakes are part of football even for top goalkeepers.
Centre-back Abdullah Shah said Pakistan had chances to win the game.
“Our plan was simple — we wanted to win and we tried our best. If we had converted our chances, the result could have been different.”
Myanmar head coach Myo Hlaing Win praised both teams, commending Pakistan’s young side for providing a tough contest and thanking the Pakistan Football Federation for its hospitality. Player of the match Than Paing credited his team’s execution of their game plan, saying both sides had played good football.
Pakistan began their 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers with away losses, 2-0 to Syria in March 2025 and 1-0 to Myanmar in June, before two successive draws with Afghanistan in October finishing 0-0 at home and 1-1 away in Kuwait. Pakistan would then be humbled 5-0 by Syria at home in November and the 2-1 home loss this March against Myanmar.
Pakistan gained just 2 points from 6 games with a -9 goal difference and finished fourth in the group. Syria, as group winners, qualified for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia with 18 points from 6 games as they thrashed Afghanistan 5-1 in their final group game later tonight.
Myanmar finish second with 12 points from 6 games, with wins over Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan, also with 2 points from 6 games finish 3rd due to a slightly better goal difference of -7.
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