Pakistan Football team suffered yet another defeat in the ongoing AFC Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Men in Green faced a strong Tajikistan side in their last fixture of Group G. The Shaheens’ World Cup dream ended as they were defeated by 3-0 and finished last in their group. Here is how the match unfolded at the Republican Central Stadium in Dushanbe.
Tajikistan 3-0 Pakistan – as it happened
Despite being stronger and more experienced than their opponents, Tajikistan made a timid start to the match. Their first real opening of the game came in the 13th minute when Panjshanbe smashed a brilliant volley from outside the box. Fortunately for Pakistan, their goalkeeper was up to the task and parried the shot away for a corner.
A few minutes later, the Shaheens were able to create a chance of their own. Umar Hayat found Ali Uzair with a brilliantly weighted through ball, after Tajikistan had lost the possession in Pakistan’s half. Ali had a few options to his left and right, but he decided to try his luck.
He unleashed a decent-looking shot from long range but was unable to get it on target. Hence, squandering an ideal goal-scoring chance for the away side. As expected, Tajikistan had the majority of the possession, but Pakistan’s five-man defense line remained resolute and kept the home side at bay.
The Men in Green were able to create another goal-scoring opportunity for themselves in the 33rd minute. Fareed Ullah played a lofted through ball into the path of Adeel Younas. The young striker managed to outrun the defender and cut inside the home side’s penalty area.
He crossed the ball towards the centre of the six-yard box, but there was no player in the box to convert the chance. The home side were able to regroup themselves swiftly and went on the offensive straight away.
Tajikistan’s centre-back, Hanonov, was able to penetrate Pakistan’s defense line by playing a clever pass towards Mabatshoev in the penalty area. The 23-year-old controlled the ball well and fired it past Yousuf Butt to give the home side a one-goal lead.
In the 39th minute, Tajikistan had the opportunity to extend their lead to two goals, but they could not capitalize as Soirov fired his header wide off Safarov’s cross from the right side. The first half ended with a scoreline of 1-0, in favour of the home side.
Stephen Constantine’s side had adopted a defensive shape for much of the first half and during the previous game against Saudi Arabia. But in the second half at Dushanbe, the Shaheens came back with a different intent. They looked more confident on the ball and were able to build up play from the back. They were able to create a few chances for themselves, but they were unable to get anything meaningful on target.
Pakistan showed real attacking intent in the second half, but as a consequence, there was always the threat of a Tajikistan counterattack. And they almost made the Shaheens pay, when Samiev’s cross found Soirov in the penalty box. Just like the first half, the number nine was unable to get his header on target.
Unfortunately, Shaheens’ reprieve did not last for long as the home side extended their lead in the 65th minute of the game. Tajikistan’s right back, Safarov side-footed a loose ball into the back of Pakistan’s net from the edge of the penalty area.
The Shaheens had defended very well up till the hour mark and the 2-0 scoreline against a 99th-ranked team was justifying that claim. But they were beginning to show signs of fatigue and restlessness after that, due to obvious reasons.
In the 70th minute, Tajikistan’s center-back, Hanonov, scored an absolute worldie. The 23-year-old unleashed a fierce shot towards the goal, just a few yards away from the centre line. His powerful shot rocketed into Shaheens’ goal’s top corner, giving Yousuf no chance of making any save.
What’s the next assignment for the Men in Green after Shaheens’ World Cup Dream ends?
Shaheens’ World Cup dream is surely over but not all is lost. The Pakistan National football team has made great strides over the last year or so. Although the men in green have not had the best of runs lately, there have been plenty of moments to rejoice for football fans in Pakistan.
The revival of Pakistan’s football is on, and this World Cup campaign was just the beginning. The resumption of the domestic league needs to number one priority to make sure that our players can match the levels of our Asian rivals.
As far as the future fixtures for the Shaheens are concerned, their next official assignment is going to be in March 2025. They will be featuring in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The Shaheens will be grouped with three other sides and each side will play each other home and away. The side finishing top of the group will qualify for the AFC Asian Cup.
But before that Constantine’s men are expected to feature in international friendlies to prepare them better for the challenges that lie ahead.
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