The 2023 AFC Asian Cup runners-up, Jordan, demolished Pakistan by seven goals to nil in the FIFA WCQ Group G fixture. The difference in FIFA Rankings was accurately depicted by the resounding scoreline in favour of the home side. With this defeat the Shaheens’ 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign has effectively come to an end.
Jordan 7-0 Pakistan – as it happened
As expected, the home side made a promising start to the game by creating plenty of chances for themselves early on in the first half. But Pakistan’s defenders were up to the task and prevented the home side from getting a meaningful shot on target. Unfortunately, Shaheens’ resilience did not last long as Jordan opened their account in the 15th minute of the game.
Abdul Samad lost the ball in the middle of the park after a brilliant build-up play by Pakistan. Jordan’s Sadeh took full opportunity of the loose play and began a lethal counterattack by playing in Musa Al-Taamari. The 26-year-old kept his composure and finished calmly past Pakistan’s goalkeeper.
There was just a wave after wave of Jordan’s attack in the second half making life tough for the Pakistan players. The Shaheens tried their best and did manage to thwart some of their attacks, but the home side was still quite ruthless.
In the 62nd minute of the match Jordan’s right back, Haddad, crossed a curling ball towards Pakistan’s penalty area. Al-Tamarri was the quickest to react in the penalty box and buried the ball home with a towering header giving his side a four-goal cushion.
At this point fatigue and disappointment had started to creep into the minds of Shaheens, hence they started to lose their shape and made unwanted errors. This led the home side to extend their lead further in the FIFA WCQ Group G encounter.
Al-Naimat made a brilliant run towards Pakistan’s goal and found Ali Olwan in the 75th minute. The talented striker dropped his shoulder before unleashing a fierce shot towards the goal to make the score line 5-0.
A few minutes later, Ali Olwan played a brilliant through ball into the path of Al-Tamarri. The man hailed as Jordanian Messi, justified his nickname by dribbling past a couple of Pakistani defenders before finishing and completing his hat trick. The 26-year-old had a couple more opportunities to score later on in the game. Fortunately for the away side, he was unable to convert those chances.
Mohammad Abu Zrayq came up with icing on the cake when he scored in the 83rd minute to give the home side a seven-goal lead. The 26-year-old finished off a brilliant free-kick routine from the edge of the box. It was a carbon copy of the first goal that Jordan had scored in Islamabad.
What’s next for Pakistan in FIFA WCQ Group G?
The Shaheens’ defeat against Jordan on Tuesday night was the fourth successive defeat of the current FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign. During this period the men in green have conceded a mammoth 20 goals and have scored just once. Although Pakistan still has two FIFA WCQ Group G games to play, their World Cup hopes have come to an end as they sit at the bottom of the group with zero points.
The Shaheens face Saudi Arabia at home in their next game which is scheduled to take place on 6th June. They also play Tajikistan away on 11th June to conclude their qualifying campaign. It is pertinent to note here that the men in green were making their debut in Round 2 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after beating Cambodia in Round 1. In the previous attempts, the Shaheens had never made it past the Round 1 which was a two-legged knockout affair.
Pakistan football team was expected to struggle in Round 2 given the quality of opponents in their group and the fact that there is still no domestic league in the country to groom local talent. The diaspora players did well to strengthen the team but still, their efforts were not enough. Nonetheless, all is not lost for Pakistan.
This qualifying campaign has not only brought international football back to Pakistan but has provided the Pakistan players with more playing opportunities. After this campaign, the next international assignment for the men in green will be the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers scheduled to begin in March 2025.
See Also:
