Maldives (GNP): Pakistan secured a convincing 2-0 win over Afghanistan in their final round-robin fixture of the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in the Maldives, with goals from Umar Nawaz and Harun Hamid sealing top spot in the group stage and booking a place in the title decider on June 10.
The victory carries historic significance; it marks the first time Pakistan has reached the final of a standalone football tournament since the 1962 Merdeka Cup, where they finished as runners-up to Indonesia. Their only outright tournament title came a decade earlier, when they shared the Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament honours with India.
Pakistan, who have won football gold at the South Asian Games on four occasions, arrived in the Maldives in strong form, having beaten the host nation 3-0 in their previous outing, the national side’s first win in 961 days.
Needing only a draw to advance, Pakistan made the perfect start when Umar Nawaz broke the deadlock in the fifth minute, side-footing home a low cross delivered by Shayek Dost from the left flank. The early goal set the tone, with Pakistan controlling the opening phase and an Afghanistan side, coached by former Pakistan mentor Jose Antonio Nogueira, struggling to establish a foothold in the contest.
Pakistan’s front line of Shayek, Umar, and Otis Khan posed a persistent threat, while Haris Zeb and Fazal stretched the Afghan defence along the wings. Otis carved open a chance past the half-hour mark with an incisive diagonal pass to release Easah Suliman, but the defender sent his effort over from outside the box.
Afghanistan came closest to pulling level in first-half stoppage time when captain Omid Popalzay rattled the crossbar with a free-kick, but Pakistan held their advantage into the break.
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Knowing a win was essential to guarantee their own place in the final, Afghanistan came out with greater intent after the interval. However, it was Pakistan who created the clearer opportunity when Shayek’s deft chip on the hour released Ali Agha through on goal, only for the midfielder to fire wide with just the goalkeeper to beat. At the other end, Omid Mosawi headed over as both sides struggled to convert their chances in a tightly contested second half.
The game was settled in the opening minute of injury time when Harun Hamid unleashed a powerful drive after being played in by Adil Nabi, completing a 2-0 victory that sends Pakistan into the final against either Afghanistan or Bangladesh.
