Abdullah optimistic ahead of Cambodia clash in WC 2026 Qualifier
Sports
Matches will be held on October 12 and 17 this year
KARACHI (Web Desk) - Promising young centre-back Syed Abdullah Shah is optimistic ahead of round one of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Pakistani team will be facing Cambodia in these matches.
The matches will be held on October 12 and 17 this year, with Cambodia hosting the first leg and Pakistan second. Pakistan had faced Cambodia in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers but lost in both legs in June 2019 with an aggregate score of 4-1.
However, Shah was confident that Pakistan, who have never won a World Cup Qualifier before, will be adequately prepared for the match against Cambodia since it will face tough opponents in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 Qualifiers before the crucial fixture.
Pakistan will travel to Bahrain to face Japan on September 6, the hosts on September 9, and Palestine on 12 of the same month in Group D of the U23 event. "It's going to be a repeat clash since we faced Cambodia during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers as well in 2019," Shah told media on Thursday.
"We are really confident about our chances since majority of our squad is U23. Before the World Cup qualifier, we will get matches against Japan, Bahrain and Palestine, in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, which are stronger opponents as compared to Cambodia. These matches will give us confidence before the World Cup qualifier."
