LAHORE: Pakistan lost their opening match of the football series against Palestine 2-1 but coach Tariq Lutfi seemed content and praised his young team after the match.
Lutfi was focusing on the positives taken from the game after international sports resumed in the country which foreign teams have refused to tour in the wake of security concerns.
“The performance level was a lot better than before,” Lutfi told The Express Tribune. “Despite having a younger squad against the professional Palestine team they were given tough competition. More importantly, the losing margin has been reduced, which is yet another step towards our development.”
Lutfi blamed a harsh penalty decision for Pakistan’s failure to draw the match but was impressed by the way the young team stood up to the challenge.
“Although we didn’t have the best of games and weren’t able to convert our effort into a win, it wasn’t easy for the opponent to overwhelm us. The harsh penalty decision went against us otherwise we could’ve drawn the game.”
Palestine not impressed
Meanwhile, The Express Tribune has learnt that the visitors are not too happy at facing Pakistan’s younger team.
Palestine, who are preparing for the AFC Challenge Cup through the friendly fixtures against Pakistan, expressed reservations at Pakistan’s decision to play their under-21 team. Lutfi, understanding the Palestine team management’s objections, however, extracted positives out of Pakistan’s decision.
“Their objection is understandable as they were expecting tough opponents for their preparation but it’s a brave decision by the federation. The stance was taken for the development of our football.”
The Pakistan-Palestine contest was witnessed by about 3,000 spectators as the hosts kicked off the contest brilliantly. But their front-runners Mehmood Khan and Rizwan Asif failed to capitalise on the chances that came along the way as Palestine scraped through to victory.
“Everyone there witnessed Pakistan fighting hard only to be defeated after a tough encounter,” added Lutfi. “Although Palestine are below us in the Fifa rankings, we have to understand the difference as the system is partially based on the number of matches.”
The coach praised the football standard of the Arab countries but applauded Pakistan’s attempt at rattling them.
“Our young boys fought well to defy their professional opponents who have ample exposure and experience at the international level. After playing against us, they’ll take on Kuwait. Football standard in the Arab countries is far better than our region but we’re getting up to make a respectable place.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2011.
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