Football: National squad announced for qualifiers

Captain Khan confident of booking place in AFC Challenge Cup 2014.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced the squad for the AFC Cup 2014 qualifiers yesterday with Jaffar Khan set to lead the team in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The team will play against a reserve national UAE side tomorrow in Dubai as part of its preparations for the qualifiers.

The Denmark-based quartet Hassan Bashir, Muhammad Ali, Yaqoob Ejaz Butt and Yousaf Ejaz Butt along with Adnan Ahmed, who plays in the North West Counties League with Nelson FC in the UK, will also join the team in Dubai.



Pakistan will leave for Bishkek on March 15 from Dubai and begin their qualifying campaign against Tajikistan on March 17 followed by Kyrgyzstan (March 19) and Macau (March 21) in group B.

The only letdown for the team was the absence of Zesh Rehman, who was earlier expected to play but according to the PFF, the former Fulham defender has engagements with his Hong Kong-based cub Kitchee FC and will not take part in the qualifiers.

However, despite Rehman’s absence, captain Khan believes the team is in good form and can qualify for the next round.

“The Dubai tour will help us before the qualifiers,” Khan told The Express Tribune. “We are going with a very positive outlook. The players are confident after their win against Nepal last month. Playing against a strong UAE side will be the perfect test before our ties against Kyrgyzstan and Macau.

“The toughest match will be against Tajikistan. They are former champions and have a physically and mentally strong team. The opening match will set the tone, but I have a good feeling about our other two matches.”

Jaffar added the cold weather in Bishkek will not be a problem, thanks to the foreign-based players who were accustomed to playing in similar conditions.

“The foreign-based players will play an important part as they are accustomed to low temperatures. They will help us get a stronghold in the ties.

“I’m also rooting for Kaleemullah to score his first international goal.”

Pakistan will need to win at least two matches in group B. The top two teams will qualify to the next round.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2013.