SPORTS DESK
ISLAMABAD: After remaining around three years out of the International arena, the Pakistan men’s national football team returned to international football on Wednesday as they lost to fellow SAARC member Nepal 1-0.
The friendly was held at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor. Pakistan was dressed in their all-white kit while Nepal was in traditional blue. Pakistan ranked 194 in the FIFA world rankings while Nepal sits around 20 positions above Pakistan at 175.
Eight Pakistani football players make debut
Pakistan fielded a relatively young team against Nepal, including a whopping eight players who made their international debut on Wednesday. The first half was quite cagey, with few opportunities for either side, though Nepal did test the Pakistani keeper more in a dominant opening.
Late in the second half, Anjan Bista managed to race through the Pakistan defence in the 83rd minute to slot one past the keeper from very close range to give Nepal a decisive lead. Nepal, though, hung on to the lead until the final whistle, even though Pakistan tried to level the score.
The win did help Nepal improve its head-to-head record against Pakistan, which remains heavily tilted in favour of Pakistan, who have won seven matches against Nepal’s four. The moment playing international for as many as eight Pakistani players especially, was bigger than winning or losing the match.
