Pakistan beat Malaysia U19 3-1

The visiting side is preparing for next month’s World Cup qualifiers

KARACHI: The Pakistan football team kicked off their training tour with a 3-1 win against Malaysia U19 in Kuala Lumpur On Monday.

Pakistan are hoping to be in fine form ahead of their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying round against Yemen next month and will be touring Thailand after playing against Malaysia U23 on February 26.

In the first half of the match, the visiting side was well contained before picking up its game in the second.

Hassan Bashir scored the opening goal in the 46th minute but it was equalised by the hosts in the 61^st.

Naveed Ahmed then struck the back of the net in the 65th minute and Muhammad Riaz sealed the win in the 67th.

“It was a good match,” Bashir, who joined the squad Sunday night from Denmark, told The Express Tribune. “Malaysia U19 are a good young team and they performed well.

“We couldn’t score in the first half, but then the coach made some changes and I was brought in as well. I’m glad I could score.”

Bashir added that he thought the pitch in Kuala Lumpur had not been up to the mark but it was a good game nevertheless, and hoped they could carry the momentum when they faced the U23 side.

“Malaysia U23 will be a tough side to beat and it’s going to be a different game altogether,” said Bashir. “But we are still confident.”

More key players besides Bashir, who are playing in clubs abroad such as Zesh Rehman and the FC Dordoi trio of Kaleemullah, Muhammad Adil and Sadam Hussain are yet to join the team.

 

 

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