Pakistan’s run at the Street Child World Cup was a surprise package not only for the global audience but even for those watching at home, as the young under-privileged players made their mark on the sport by winning the bronze medal at the seven-a-side U16 championship.
The team, prepared by the Azad Foundation, competed at the Street Child World Cup in Rio, playing at the Maracana; the venue of the World Cup final just two months later.
Pakistan opened the campaign with a thrashing of defending champions India, beating them 13-0 to force everyone at home to sit up and take notice.
Continuing on with form, they defeated Kenya 2-0, Mauritius 3-0 and drew against US 1-1 to book their place in the quarter-finals.
The side defeated Philippines 3-2 in the quarter-final, but lost 4-3 to Burundi in the semi-final. However, a 3-2 win against the US in the third-place playoff ensured that the boys did not come back home empty-handed.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2014.
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