Pakistan turn on the style in 3-0 win over Maldives
The Pakistan Men’s National Team turned on the style in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Maldives as the Shaheens earned their first win of the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament.
Not only was this Pakistan’s first win after 961 days, it was also the Shaheens’ first win over Maldives since the 1991 SAF Games final.
The first half saw Pakistan gain territorial ascendancy but the Shaheens were unable to break the deadlock. Things turned around in the second half, when Hayyan Khattak’s rasping drive saw the Maldives keeper spill the ball and Umer Nawaz was there to poach the ball and bundle it home.
The first Pakistan goal saw Maldives going on the offence to equalise, which saw them create two clear cut chances that could not be converted. However, Maldives were also leaving huge spaces in the field, and substitute Abdul Samad Arshad caressed the ball past the keeper in the 83rd minute.
The third goal came off a deflected shot when another substitute, Harun Hamid, saw his shot deflect off a defender in the 87th minute and go beyond a hapless Maldives keeper.
This completed Pakistan’s first win in well over two years. And gave Head Coach Nolberto Solano his first win as Pakistan head coach.
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani congratulated the Pakistan team for their victory and hoped they will carry on in the same vein against Afghanistan in their next match on Saturday.
Post-Match Press Conference — Pakistan 3-0 Maldives
Abdullah Iqbal (Captain):
Most importantly, we got the three points, and we got them in the right manner — a great result against a tough team. I know Maldives lost their first game, but watching that match you could see they have real quality. So even after scoring the first goal, we knew we had to stay focused and keep our shape so they couldn’t hurt us on the counter — and they did create some chances. It was important to maintain that balance while continuing to push for the second and third goals. I’m happy that the team kept playing with the same intensity even after we went in front. Proud of the boys.
Nolberto Solano (Head Coach):
Maldives are a very good team and we knew what to expect going in. They have a lot of energy — they played so well against Afghanistan, even in defeat. I have to say congratulations to the Maldives team.
As I mentioned, we were really focused from the start. Both teams had their chances in the first half, but the most important thing was keeping a clean sheet in those first 45 minutes. We knew that in the second half teams normally begin to tire, and we would start finding spaces and creating moments to score. Thankfully, that is exactly what happened today, and I think after the hard work we have put in, we deserved the result.
On the pitch conditions — today, unfortunately, the surface did not help either side very much. It was genuinely difficult for the players to play the kind of football we want to play. But as I said, we knew Maldives were well-organised with a very dangerous counter-attack, so we were disciplined in possession and made sure we were solid at the back. At this level, concentration and attention to detail are everything, and the players delivered that today.
The plan worked. But now we must immediately focus on the next match — it is very important for us as we look to have a strong tournament overall.
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