Pakistan was eliminated from the classification for the Asian Cup of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 2026 on Saturday despite a 2-1 victory over Kyrguistan, since Taipei Chino scored as many points in his group.
The National Squadron was attracted to the ‘D’ group of the qualifiers in Yakarta along with the Chinese Taipei, Indonesia and Kyrguistan. Pakistan lost his first campaign match against Chino Taipei 8-0 on June 29, but defeated the hosts of Indonesia 2-0 in his second group match this week.
Mariam Mahmood scored his first international goal in the first minute of the game.
“Layla Aliya won possession on the midline and threw a pass that initially seemed to be claimed by abibulla dilnure, only so that the custodian of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan (goalkeeper) would drop the ball, allowing Mariam Mahmood to enrolle it to a network without surveillance,” said a press release from the AFC.
Mahmood then doubled Pakistan’s account by converting a penalty into the 18th minute.
Kirguistán scored his only game of the game when Alina Gaparova scored a low impulse in the lower corner in the 69th minute, said AFC.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) marked the team campaign with a long publication on Instagram, hosting its first general departure in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
“For the first time in history, Pakistan participated in the qualifiers of the AFC Asian Cup and what statement they made,” the Federation wrote.
“After a good start against the Chinese Taipei, the team recovered with an incredible determination and heart, ensuring consecutive victories against Indonesia (2-0) and Kyrgyzstan (2-1). With these victories, they have written a new chapter on the Pakistan football trip.”
The PFF described the campaign as “a moment of pride for each game supporter”, congratulating the team, the coaching staff and the officials.
Later, the body said: “Despite the impressive victory and the end of the group, Pakistan could not advance to the next round, with the Chinese qualification of Taipei.”
He said that Taipei Chino ended at the top of Group D with nine points, after having won his three games, while Pakistan took second place with six points and two victories in his three games.
The president of PFF, Syed Mohsen Gilani, praised Pakistan’s performance in his inaugural campaign in the AFC Asia Cup qualifiers.
“Our national women’s team showed a great character and fighting spirit during its debut campaign in the AFC qualifiers,” he said. “Despite winning two games and ending second, we were not worth not progressing to the next round. But this is just the beginning.”
Gilani added: “With continuous support and sincere efforts, I am sure that our team will work even better in future international events.”
Equipment:
Porters: Jennah Farooki, Nisha Ashraf, Zeeyana Jivraj; Defensores: Aliya Sadiq, Layla Banaras, Maria Khan (Captain), Nizalia Siddiqui, Sophia Qureshi; Centrofielders: Amina Hanif, Azwa Chaudhry, Marsha Malik, Rameen Fareed, Sanah Mehdi, Suha Hirani; Forwards: Anmol Hira, Aqsa Mushtaq, Isra Khan, Mariam Mahmood, Nadia Khan, Zehmena Malik, Nazir Zulfia.
Additional Abdul Ghafffar reports.
