Pakistan Men’s Football team created history by securing a 1-0 victory against Cambodia at the Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad. By doing so the Shaheens registered their maiden FIFA World Cup Qualifier victory and advanced to the next round of the qualifiers.
Before that, the men in green had featured in 33 FIFA World Cup Qualifier games, losing 28 of them and drawing the other five. The first leg of the tie had ended 0-0 in Cambodia. Find out how the men in green defeated their Asian rivals in Islamabad in this blog.
Maiden FIFA World Cup Qualifier Victory – as it happened
Both teams entered the pitch to a resounding reception from the Jinnah stadium crowd as football returned to the grounds of Pakistan after 12 long years. In the first half, Pakistan and Cambodia struggled to find attacking rhythm and consistency in their play. Although both sides had a few opportunities to take the lead, but they could not capitalize on them.
In the 14th minute of the match, Cambodia’s Sieng Chanthea played a brilliantly weighted through ball into the path of Sor Rotana who unleashed his shot from inside the box. Pakistan’s goalkeeper, Yousuf Butt prevented the No. 13 from scoring by making a tremendous save. Rotana had another go at the goal on the rebound, but this time his shot was cleared off the line by Umar Hayat.
During the latter stages of the first half, Cambodia had another opportunity to break the deadlock when Chanthea had a crack at the goal from outside the box. It was a decent effort, but it was hit straight towards Butt who made a routine save. The first half was fought very closely between the two sides, but Cambodia had a slightly upper hand as they had created more chances than Pakistan.
Stephen Constantine, Pakistan’s head coach took note of the lack of creativity shown by his side and made two changes during the half-time interval. Muhammad Waheed and Moin Ahmed were replaced by Abdul Arshad and Harun Hamid. Both these players were on song the minute they came onto the pitch. Abdul Arshad nearly gave Pakistan the lead when he made contact with Shayak Dost’s cross in the opening minute of the first half. Unfortunately, the ball came towards him at an awkward height so he could not keep his shot under control, hence failing to hit the target.
A few minutes later, Cambodia nearly opened the scoring when Reung Bunheing’s cross found Ugawa in the six-yard box who pulled his shot narrowly wide of the post. Backed by the support of the Islamabad crowd a completely rejuvenated Pakistan squad emerged in the second half. They kept creating chance after chance, with Harun and Abdul proving to be the live wire on the ground.
After a lot of effort, the Shaheens finally had the breakthrough in the 68th minute of the game, when Harun Hamid’s left-footed strike hit the back of Cambodia’s net. As soon as the ball went into the goal the whole Jinnah Stadium erupted. There were scenes of epic joy as the Pakistanis celebrated their first goal at home in over a decade. After going behind, the away side tried its best to get back in the game, but the men in green defended well and ensured that the match finished at 1-0.
What’s next for the Pakistan Men’s Football team in the FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign?
After securing their maiden FIFA World Cup Qualifying victory the Shaheens will now face Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tajikistan in the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (AFC) Round two. Pakistan will play all three sides both home and away over the course of the next three FIFA International matches windows.
The top two sides will advance to the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and automatically qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Whereas sides finishing third and fourth in the group will be out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup race, but will qualify for the third round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.
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