Symkent, Kazakhstan: UEFA U16 Development Tournament hosts Kazakhstan won a resounding 4-1 over their Pakistani opponents in the opening fixture.
Pakistan’s next generation made history when they stepped onto the pitch at the BIIK Sports Complex for their opening match of the UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament on Saturday, 25 April 2026, even though the result was not the one they would have wanted.
Kazakhstan opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Platon Shipstin scored from a penalty before Anuar Tolendi scored past Pakistan goalkeeper Samar Razzak on a counter in the 21st.
Kazakhstan captain David Zarechnyy made it 3-0 after a defensive lapse in the 30th with Daniyar Kassi scoring with a header in injury time at the end of the first half to make it 4-0 for the hosts.
Pakistan regrouped at half time and were more vibrant as they came back strongly. They even created more chances with substitute Danish Masih going close twice but could not reduce the deficit.
Pakistan U16 captain Abdul Samad did pull a late consolation goal back with a bullet header off a pinpoint Muhammad Hanzala cross from the right.
Pakistan coach Mohammed Essa hailed the learning experience on offer for his side after seeing his charges lose 4-1 to hosts Kazakhstan.
“This is a learning experience for the team since it is the first time that a Pakistan side is playing in a UEFA competition,” said Essa. “It was the first game for the team here and I think we did well after a tough first half.”
“It wasn’t the result that we wanted,” said captain Abdul Samad. “But we will take our learnings from this match and come out stronger and better in the second match.”
Pakistan next face Russia on Monday before their last game against Azerbaijan in the tournament.
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