Pakistan Beat Maldives 3-0 To End 35-Year Winless Run Against Hosts
• Pakistan register first international victory in 961 days
• Green Shirts defeat Maldives 3-0 in four-nation tournament
• Umar Nawaz scores maiden international goal for Pakistan
Pakistan’s men’s football team produced an impressive performance to defeat hosts Maldives 3-0 in the Diamond Jubilee Four-Nation Football Tournament on Thursday, ending a 35-year wait for an international victory over the island nation.
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The result also ended Pakistan’s 961-day wait for an international win and significantly boosted the team’s chances of reaching the tournament final.
Having opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Bangladesh, Pakistan entered the match needing a positive result to stay in contention for a place in the championship match. Both teams failed to find the breakthrough in the first half, with the score remaining level at the interval.
Pakistan finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute through young forward Umar Nawaz. The goal was particularly special for the youngster as it was his first international goal in only his second appearance for the national team and came during his first-ever start for Pakistan.
Umar Nawaz’s journey to international football has been marked by personal tragedy and resilience. His brother, Haris Nawaz, was among those martyred in the 2014 Army Public School attack in Peshawar, while another brother, Ahmed Nawaz, survived after sustaining serious injuries. The family later relocated to the United Kingdom in 2015, where Umar developed his football career before earning a call-up to Pakistan’s national side.
Pakistan maintained control after taking the lead and doubled their advantage in the 84th minute when Abdul Samad Arshad scored. Harun Hamid added a third goal just three minutes later, completing a dominant performance and sealing a memorable victory for the visitors.
The win was Pakistan’s first international triumph over Maldives since 1991 and their first international victory since defeating Cambodia in a FIFA World Cup qualifier on October 17, 2023.
With four points from two matches following the draw against Bangladesh and the win over Maldives, Pakistan remains firmly in the race for a place in the final. The national team will play Afghanistan in its final league-stage fixture on June 7.
If Pakistan finishes among the top two teams in the standings, it will qualify for the tournament final scheduled to be played on June 10. The convincing victory has put the Green Shirts in a strong position as they continue their quest for silverware in the four-nation competition.
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