ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will play Saudi Arabia in a FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday in the kingdom. Pakistan qualified for the Asian group stage for the first time in more than 20 years.
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.
With the win, Pakistan advanced to the second round of the World Cup qualifying tournament, where they would play Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Jordan—all formidable football teams. Nine groups, each with four clubs, have been formed from a total of 36 football squads. The group winners and runners-up advance to the third round of the World Cup qualifying competition.
“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.
