- Pakistani football players have never advanced so far in World Cup qualifiers in the past
- They are part of Group G in the second qualifying round and will also face Jordan and Tajikistan
ISLAMABAD: History is in the making as Pakistan take on Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup qualifier in the kingdom on Thursday after getting into the group stage for Asian teams for the first time in over two decades.
Last month, Pakistan men’s football team beat Cambodia 1-0 to win their first ever World Cup qualifier at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad after midfielder Harun Hamid scored a stellar goal against the rival squad.
The victory propelled Pakistan to the next level where they would face impressive football teams like Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Jordan in Group G of the second round of the World Cup qualifiers. A total of 36 football squads have been split into nine groups with four teams each. The winners and runners-up from each group would progressing through to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers.
“The national football team has been practicing in Al Ahsa,” the Pakistan Football Federation said in a brief statement on Sunday. “They will play their first match of the second round on November 16 against Saudi Arabia.”
Thursday’s World Cup qualifier is expected to be tough for Pakistan since the Saudi Arabia have already played in the last World Cup organized in Qatar.
They also secured a stunning victory against Argentina that ultimately won the tournament, following an impressive goal by Salem Mohammed Shafi Al-Dawsari.