Pakistan’s national football team achieved a strong victory on Thursday, beating hosts Maldives 3-0 in the Diamond Jubilee Four-Nation Tournament in Malé. This win ended a long 35-year wait for a victory against Maldives since 1991. It also marked Pakistan’s first international win in 961 days, since October 2023.
The match was played at the National Football Stadium. The first half ended goalless, with both teams struggling to score. In the second half, young striker Umar Nawaz opened the scoring in the 53rd or 54th minute with his first international goal. Substitutes Abdul Samad Arshad and Harun Hamid added two more goals in the 84th and 87th minutes to seal the comfortable 3-0 win. Captain Abdullah Iqbal earned the Man of the Match award for his strong defensive performance.
This result boosted Pakistan’s chances in the tournament. They now have four points from two matches after a goalless draw against Bangladesh in their opener. The team will face Afghanistan in their final group game on June 7. Coach Nolberto Solano celebrated his first victory with the side.
The victory has brought joy to Pakistani football fans after years of poor results. Many players in the squad, including the goal scorers, are from the Pakistani diaspora playing abroad. Experts hope this success will help rebuild confidence and improve Pakistan’s ranking in Asian football.
The government and Pakistan Football Federation praised the team’s fighting spirit and disciplined performance. This win is seen as a positive step towards better days for Pakistan football.
