Pakistan football team exits event

A 2-0 loss to Oman seals team’s Asian Games fate.

GUANGZHOU: Pakistan’s run at the Asian Games came to an end when they were thrashed 2-0 by Oman.  Al Gheilani scored the opening goal in the 10th minute and Waleed sealed Oman’s win in the 65th minute.

Former Tottenham Hotspur player Graham Roberts, who was recently enlisted as Pakistan’s football consultant failed to inspire the team, who had previously drawn 0-0 against Maldives and lost 6-0 against Thailand. Pakistan had only managed to secure a single point in Group F but failed to score at all in the competition.

In other Group F matches, Thailand ensured that they stayed in the tournament after a 0-0 draw against Maldives. Defending champions Qatar edged past Kuwait 2-0 to make it to the last-16, but the losers walked away with second-place. Hong Kong ended their 52-year wait to qualify for the knockout rounds when they hammered Bangladesh 4-1. India stunned Singapore 4-1 to keep their hopes alive of qualifying as one of the four best-placed teams by finishing third.

The UAE beat Uzbekistan 3-0 courtesy a brace from Ahmed Al Jenaiby and a goal from Theyab Al Musabi.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2010.