Solano targets SAFF Cup semi-finals

Pakistan’s head coach backs team ahead of India clash

With a high-stakes clash against arch-rivals India looming, Pakistan football team head coach Nolberto Solano has urged his side to challenge the occasion at the SAFF Championship 2026, declaring that every match will be treated as a final as the Green-shirts target a place in the semi-finals.

Confident in his players' abilities, Solano has called for unity, discipline and defensive solidity, insisting that Pakistan have what it takes to compete despite the absence of overseas-based players.

Speaking at a press conference at a local hotel in Islamabad on Monday evening, Solano acknowledged that every opponent would pose a tough challenge but said Pakistan were determined and confident heading into the competition.

“Every match is always tough, as usual, and we are looking forward to the challenge. We are trying to build a strong team and I believe we are not far from achieving our goals. We have already achieved success in the Maldives, so we understand the level of competition. We have also played in Indonesia. We know what we need to do,” he said.

Pakistan will face India and the Maldives in the group stage, with Solano identifying qualification for the semi-finals as the team's primary objective.

“We will take things step by step. Thursday’s match against India is a big one, followed by the game against the Maldives. Our focus is on these two matches so that we can qualify for the semi-finals. We have to treat every match as a final. The first final will be against India and the second against the Maldives,” he said.

Discussing the significance of the Pakistan-India rivalry, Solano compared it to the football rivalry between his home country, Peru, and Chile.

“The rivalry between Peru and Chile is similar to that between Pakistan and India. It carries the same intensity. I understand very well how important these matches are for the fans. We want to make people happy because we know what these games mean to them,” he said.

The former Peru international also emphasised that football was a team sport and that success required every player to contribute collectively.

“We have to play as a united team. Football is not about one individual; it is a collective game. Whether we are attacking or defending, we have to perform as a team,” he added.

Pakistan will be without its overseas-based players during the initial stage of the competition, as the championship is not being held during a FIFA international window. However, Solano insisted that their absence would not be used as an excuse and expressed full confidence in the abilities of local players.

“At the start of this competition, we cannot include our diaspora players because it is not being held during a FIFA window. However, we are giving local players an opportunity and assessing the talent available here. There are no excuses. We believe in our players,” he said.

He further stated that the national team's doors remained open to every player with the required ability and the right mentality.

“We are gradually expanding our talent pool. Any player with the ability and the right attitude has a chance to represent the national team,” he added.

“We first try to become a solid team. Our strategy is to avoid conceding goals because some of our strongest players belong to the defensive department,” he said.

Solano also highlighted the importance of a strong domestic football structure.

“We have to look ahead. We have talent, but these young players need support. They need a strong structure and clubs. The situation was similar in my country, Peru. Gradually, young players continued to improve and their abilities developed further,” he said.

Welcoming the announcement of a professional football league in Pakistan next year, Solano described it as an important development for improving players' physical conditioning and the overall standard of the game.

“It is important for this generation of players to become physically fit and cover more ground. It is great news for us that Pakistan will have a professional league next year. Our current players have never had the opportunity to go through a pre-season. Pre-season training is extremely important for a player because it lays the foundation for the entire season. Hopefully, we will have this facility soon as well,” he said.

The head coach further explained that the team's formation would depend on the players available and the nature of the opposition, stressing the need to remain tactically flexible.

Pakistan will launch its SAFF Championship 2026 campaign against traditional rivals India on Thursday, with Solano describing the encounter as the team's first major test. The Green-shirts will then face the Maldives in their second group match, with a positive result crucial to their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

Pakistan are in Group B with India and Maldives, while Group A comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.

Pakistan will face India in their opening match on November 5. India have announced a second-string side for the event. Their senior team will travel to New Zealand for two friendly matches. They will face the hosts in Auckland on November 12 and Christchurch on November 15.

Nepal is missing the event for the first tme in history due to suspension issue.