The Pakistan football team put on a great defensive show, away from home, against Cambodia in the first round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier. By doing so the Shaheens also put an end to their 12-match losing streak stretching as far as 2018. Stephen Constantine would have hoped for a similar sort of start to Pakistan’s FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Cambodia 0-0 Pakistan – as it happened
Pakistan and Cambodia made a very cautious start to the game with both sides not showing much of an attacking intent early on. Despite being the away side Pakistan created the first real chance of the game when Moin Ahmed’s deflected cross found Fareed Ullah in the box. The forward tried to backheel the ball for Muhammad Waheed, but before the No.9 could unleash his shot he was quickly dispossessed by the Cambodian defender.
A few minutes later Moin Ahmed tried his luck from outside the box with a curling effort. Unfortunately, he was unable to make a sweet connection with the ball which led the Cambodian goalkeeper to make a routine save. Pakistan showed great promise early on but failed to capitalize on their chances.
The Shaheens had a brilliant opportunity to go into the half-time interval with a one-goal lead. During the latter stages of the first half, Fareed Ullah played a through ball for Waheed who lashed onto the ball and fired his shot wide of the post ending the half 0-0.
As the match went on the home side started to grow more in the game. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to breach the defense of Pakistan, thanks to the defensive duo of Easah Suliman and Abdullah Iqbal who played brilliantly throughout the game. The home side was creating plenty of opportunities for themselves, but the majority of their shots were off target.
In the 73rd minute of the game, Reung Bunheing played a long ball into the path of Sor Rotana. The midfielder controlled the ball well and skipped past Pakistan’s left back before hitting a powerful shot towards the goal. Fortunately, for the men in green Yousuf Butt proved equal to the task and made a tremendous save to keep his side level in the tie. A few moments later Yousuf was called into action once again when Ogawa’s fierce volley from outside the box was comfortably saved by the goalie.
What’s next for Pakistan’s FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign?
The Shaheens have managed to negate the first leg of their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign well. But the job is only half done as Cambodia now travels to Pakistan for the second leg of the tie. The match is scheduled to take place at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad on 17 October 2023.
Pakistan has never made it past Round 1 of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Given their performance against Cambodia in the first leg and having a home advantage in the second leg, Stephen Constantine will be hoping that his side can finally break the jinx and rewrite the history books.
