Pakistan Fight Back From Two Down to Earn First-Ever FIFA Tournament Point Against Philippines
Pakistan came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with the Philippines in Bandung, scoring their first goals and earning their first point at a FIFA tournament.
Pakistan made history at the FIFA ASEAN Cup on Tuesday. They came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the Philippines at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, earning their first-ever point and scoring their first-ever goals in a FIFA competition.
After a 4-0 loss to Thailand in their Group B opener, few expected much from the Pakistanis against a side ranked about 60 places above them. Ali Akbar Khan and Abdul Samad Arshad scored after the break to cancel out first-half goals from Sandro Reyes and Bjorn Kristensen.
Philippines in control at half-time
The Philippines went ahead in the 24th minute. Pakistan's Mohibullah headed the ball onto his own crossbar and Reyes reacted fastest to bundle in the rebound.
Shortly after the half-hour mark, Mohammad Fazal was penalised for handball in the box. Kristensen scored from the spot, and the Philippines went in 2-0 up.
Solano's changes spark the comeback
Pakistan coach Nolberto Solano, the former Newcastle United and Peru winger, made changes early in the second half. Dawn reported that Ali Agha and Hayyan Khattak came on.
The response was immediate. Ali Akbar Khan took a lofted pass from captain Abdullah Iqbal on the left, beat a defender and slipped his shot through the legs of Philippines goalkeeper Kevin Ray Mendoza to make it 2-1.
Around the hour mark, Abdul Samad Arshad won the ball on the right, drove into the box, cut onto his left foot and beat Mendoza to make it 2-2. Pakistan then held on for a draw.
"The team's reaction"
Solano was proud of his players' response. "It's not easy at this level to come back from two goals down. The most important thing today was the team's reaction. I am very pleased with how the team responded," he said, as quoted by Dawn.
He also said his side needed to keep their best level for longer. "We have to become more consistent throughout the game," he added.
A costly slip for the Philippines
For the Philippines, the result hurts. ESPN reported that throwing away a two-goal lead ended their chances of reaching the final. Thailand's 2-0 win over Vietnam later the same day guaranteed the War Elephants first place in the group.
Group B table before the final round
- Thailand – 6 points
- Vietnam – 3 points
- Philippines – 1 point (2-3)
- Pakistan – 1 point (2-6)
What's next
Pakistan play Vietnam on Friday, 2 October, and the Philippines face Thailand. Second place in Group B earns a spot in the third-place play-off on Monday, 5 October in Jakarta. Vietnam start that race as favourites.
For a Pakistan side ranked 198th in the world, however, Tuesday's point already counts as a landmark.
Key takeaways
- The Philippines led 2-0 at half-time through Sandro Reyes and a Bjorn Kristensen penalty.
- Second-half goals from Ali Akbar Khan and Abdul Samad Arshad earned Pakistan a 2-2 draw.
- It is Pakistan's first point and first goals in a FIFA tournament.
- The Philippines can no longer reach the final. Thailand have already won Group B.
FAQ
Why is this draw historic for Pakistan? The FIFA ASEAN Cup is Pakistan's first appearance at a FIFA competition. Before this match they had no goals and no points, after losing 4-0 to Thailand.
Who coaches Pakistan? Former Peru international and Newcastle United winger Nolberto Solano.
When do Pakistan play next? Their final Group B match is against Vietnam on Friday, 2 October.
Sources: Dawn, ESPN, Gulf News, Nukta, detikSport