The fightback in Bandung and Pakistan football’s reality
When Abdul Samad Arshad cut in past a Philippines defender before shooting the ball along the ground to beat the goalkeeper on Tuesday, it was a moment of disbelief for the Pakistan fans — those in small numbers at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, Indonesia, and those watching on screens back home and around the world. The shot — now etched in Pakistan football history as the one that…
In a remarkable upset, Pakistan's national football team pulled off a comeback victory against the Philippines in the FIFA ASEAN Cup, securing a surprising 2-2 draw at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, Indonesia. The match, which saw the underdog Pakistan team defeat a team ranked more than 60 places higher than themselves, marked their first ever point in a FIFA competition and equalled the score at 2-2.
This unexpected outcome, fueled by the skill of diaspora-based players, has sparked a conversation about the reality of Pakistan football and the country's lack of a proper football infrastructure.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
