Football: Pakistan extend unbeaten streak

Hameed scores late goal to earn 1-1 draw against Maldives.

KARACHI: Pakistan continued their impressive form as they drew against Maldives 1-1 with a last minute equaliser from Muhamma Hameed in the third match of their practice tour in Male on Tuesday.

In their opening match against Maldives, Pakistan were pegged back with a goal in the 48th minute. However, the tourists levelled in extra-time through Hameed, who slotted home after a penetrating pass by Yaqoob Ejaz.

The squad was facing criticism for its inability to score, something which was reflected by its slip in the Fifa rankings – 10 places down to 189 on the list this year – before the tour began on February 6.

However, Pakistan managed to defeat Nepal 1-0 in both their friendlies in Kahthmandu before they left for Maldives on February 11 for a two-match tour. The matches are being played to prepare for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers that will be held next month in Kyrgyzstan.



According to the assistant manager Anwar Shahzad, the team has gained confidence in the wake of its victories and the players are motivated to continue the good momentum.  The draw against Maldives with a late goal has demonstrated that players have grown stronger mentally and developed the temperament to play under pressure.

“We are playing a very different side this time,” Shehzad told The Express Tribune. “The players have confidence in their game, which was not the case before. They are also enjoying football which shows in their performance too.

“We haven’t lost any match so far and that is a streak we would like to prolong. The strikers as well as the defenders are now thriving under the pressure, which is a good sign. We still have one more match to play, so hopefully we will win against Maldives. They are a very tough side and have had more exposure. It won’t be easy.”

Pakistan last played against Maldives in 2011 in the SAFF Championship where they played out a goalless draw.

Meanwhile, coach Zavisa Milosavljevic said the progress within the team was visible especially as the goals were coming and the results would improve with more international matches over time.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2013.