KARACHI (Web Desk) – Pakistan's men's national football team ended a long wait for an international victory with an impressive 3-0 win over the Maldives national football team in the Diamond Jubilee Four-Nation Football Tournament on Thursday.
After opening the tournament with a goalless draw against the Bangladesh national football team, Pakistan entered the match needing a positive result to keep its hopes of reaching the final alive.
The breakthrough came in the 54th minute when Umar Nawaz scored his first international goal in just his second appearance for Pakistan. The match also marked his first start for the national side.
Umar Nawaz's story carries a powerful personal dimension. His brother, Haris Nawaz, was among the victims of the Army Public School Peshawar attack in 2014, while another brother, Ahmed Nawaz, survived with serious injuries. The family later relocated to the United Kingdom, where Umar developed his football career before earning a place in Pakistan's national team.
Pakistan extended its lead in the 84th minute through Abdul Samad Arshad before Harun Hamid added a third goal three minutes later to complete a dominant victory.
The result marked Pakistan's first international win over Maldives since 1991 and ended a lengthy winless streak. Pakistan's previous international victory came against the Cambodia national football team in a FIFA World Cup qualifier on October 17, 2023.
The victory significantly boosted Pakistan's chances of reaching the tournament final. Pakistan will play the Afghanistan national football team on June 7 in its final league-stage match. A top-two finish in the standings will secure a place in the final on June 10.
Pakistan now has four points from two matches, following a draw against Bangladesh and a win over Maldives, leaving the team firmly in contention for a spot in the championship match.