Sports

Palestine ready for Pakistan showdown

Clash will be the third between the two teams in football history.

Umar Farooq February 28, 2011

LAHORE: Pakistan go head-to-head with Palestine today as the Middle Eastern team commences their two-match football tour of the country at the Punjab Stadium with visiting captain Abdullah Saidawi looking forward to an improved Pakistan team to play against.

Today’s clash will be the third between the two teams in football history with Ibrahim Munasarah and Mohammed Al Jeish scoring goals to defeat Pakistan when the teams met in Doha on April 2, 2000. The second meeting got no respite for Pakistan as Palestine won 3-0 in Manama at the 14th Asia Cup in 2006.

‘Rankings don’t matter’

However, Pakistan are desperate to win against a team placed 178 in the Fifa world rankings against their own standing of 173. Saidawi, though, ruled out the impact of rankings, insisting that positions in the world rankings were not the decisive factors.

“Fifa rankings do not reflect the teams’ performances,” the Palestine captain told The Express Tribune. “It’s just a statistic. This is not the first time we’re playing against Pakistan. Teams evolve and you just can’t write them off merely on stats.

“Pakistan no doubt will enjoy the home advantage but we are ready to take the challenge.”

Following their last two victories, Saidawi added, “We hope to face an improved Pakistan team since the last time we played them, their side wasn’t the most competitive one then. But I’m expecting a challenging and entertaining game this time.”

Lutfi terms series ‘crucial’

Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Tariq Lutfi believes that the series against Palestine will be crucial as it would help them assess the skill level of their players.

“I’m expecting a good contest despite their ranking. But I plan to go with the under-21 boys in order to give them substantial match practice before our future international commitments.”

The second match of the series will be played in Karachi on Thursday while Pakistan will visit Palestine to play the return legs on May 24 and 27.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2011.