Category: Football

Lahore : A delegation from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) embarked on a 3-day visit to Pakistan, focusing on the football landscape. The delegation, comprising Lazarus Johnson, Head of AFC’s Strategic Planning and Advisory Unit, Sonam Jigmi, AFC Senior Manager of the South Asia Unit and Dinesh De Silva, Manager of the South Asia Unit, convened with the Department Heads of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) at the Football House in Lahore.

During the meeting, the AFC delegation engaged in fruitful discussions with the PFF Normalisation Committee leadership, including NC Chairman Haroon Malik and member Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar.

The department heads provided the visiting dignitaries with a comprehensive overview of the significant events that happened over the past two years, along with forthcoming plans and initiatives.

The discussion delved into various aspects of Pakistan football including governance, finance, planning and administration with a special focus on enhancing the professional football landscape. They exchanged views and ideas aimed at addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities to propel the growth and development of football in Pakistan.

The assessment and recommendation exercise by the AFC will lead to a planning and implementation phase followed by rigorous monitoring by the Asian Football Governing Authority.

Sportsnaama report:

The Pakistan Football Federation has lauded the selection of Ihsan Ahmad as the debutant Assistant Referee on the FIFA Referee List 2024, in Football House Lahore, today.

Member FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar graced the occasion as the chief guest. Manager Referee PFF Khurram Shahzad, Senior Vice President of PFRA, Waheed Murad, junior referees and PFF officials were also in attendance.

Sharing his thoughts, Ihsan Ahmad said, “I want to thank PFF NC for believing in us. The Referee Courses are being done well across the country and PFF is putting in unmatched efforts. I hope this helps the younger referees a lot.”

Member PFF NC Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar emphasized the crucial role referees play in football, stating that they are the most important part of the game. He expressed his delight at the selection of Ihsan Ahmad and the other Referees and Assistant Referees for the FIFA Referee List 2024, considering it a proud moment for Pakistan. He extended his best wishes for their upcoming assignments.

KHURRAM SHEHZAD AWAN: Jordan outclassed Pakistan by 7-0 goals in FIFA world cup qualifier group G match in Jordan on 27 March, 2024 at Amman international stadium Amman, Jordan.

In the first match which is being played between both teams in islamabad, Jordan won by 3-0 and now in the second match Pakistan went down by 7-0 in a straight away victory by Jordan. Pakistan team performed below the average and neither fought back and nor planned to give tough time to Jordan in the match.

MUSA AL TAAMARI HATRICK :

jordan star footballer Mousa Al taamari once again performed very well and scored hattrick in the match he scored first goal in 15 minutes of the match while second and third goal in the 62′ and 79th minutes respectively whereas Yazan Al Naimat scored goal in the Penalty kick at the 28th minutes of the first half, Saeed Al Roshan sored goal in the 52′. Ali Olwan in 75′ and Mohammad Abu Zaryq in 83th minutes which lasts at the end of the contest.

After this big margin win Jordan secured second position on the points table of group G with 7 points in 4 matches whereas Saudi Arabia in on the top of the points table with 10 points.

Khurram Shehzad Awan: Jordan defeated Pakistan by 3-0 in FIFA world cup 2026 qualifier at Jinnah stadium Islamabad on 21 March, 2024.

KHURRAM SHEHZAD AWAN: The match was started with the counter attack by the Jordon and in the 2nd minutes of the first Half Mousa Al Tamari scored first goal for Jordon in a free kick and took the lead. Jordon continued attack on the post of Pakistan which results in the 9th minutes of the game Jordon got a penalty and Ali Olwan scored second goal so the score was 2-0 at the end of first half.

Pakistan team played well in the second half and tried to score goal but they were unsuccessful. In the 86th minutes of the match Mousa Al Tamari scored third goal for Jordon which lasts at the end of the match and Jordon win the match by 3-0. There were four yellow cards was issued during the match. Pakistan team received three yellow cards ( Adeel Younas 42′, Abdullah Iqbal 81′ and Muhammad Waleed Khan in 95′) whereas Jordon team got one yellow card which is received by Nizar Alrashdan in 21′.

According to the official figures 9625 spectators were present at the Jinnah stadium to witness the match.

Islamabad: Pakistan football team prepares for Jordan Match*Lahore – 14th March 2024The Pakistan national football team camp is currently in full swing in Model Town Lahore. The national football team is preparing for the upcoming home match of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Round 2 against Jordan, scheduled to be held in Islamabad on March 21.Under the guidance of head coach Stephen Constantine, the team is focusing on refining their skills and tactics to face the upcoming challenge. The attention is also being given to the goalkeepers with coaching support from Rogerio Ramos and Nauman Ibrahim.The training camp, which kicked off in Lahore on Monday will continue for the next few days. The probables in the camp are:Pakistan squad (Probable’s)Goal-Keepers: Salman Ul Haq, Saqib Hanif, Hassan Ali and Abdul BasitDefenders: Mamoon Moosa Khan, Muhammad Sohail, Junaid Shah, Umar Hayat Haseeb Khan, M. Saddam, Muhammad Hamza Munir, Kamil Ahmad Khan and Muhammad AdeelMidfielders: Alamgir Ghazi, Rajab Ali, Ali Uzair, Moin Ahmad, Zaid Umer, M Zahid Shah and Ali ZafarForwards: Shayek Dost, Fareed Ullah, Muhammad Waleed Khan, Muhammad Waheed, Muhammad Adeel Younas and Yasir ArafatDiaspora players’ names will be included in the final squad.-ENDS-

Islamabad:

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced the list of probables for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Round 2 matches against Jordan. Scheduled for the 21st of March, the home encounter will take place at Jinnah Stadium Islamabad, followed by an away fixture in Jordan on the 26th of March.

The training camp is set to commence on Monday, the 11th of March 2024, in Lahore, with plans to later relocate to Islamabad. Group G includes Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Jordan.

The team will be under the guidance of Head Coach Stephen Constantine, supported by Claudio Altieri as the Fitness Coach, Rogerio Ramos Dal Solio and Noman Ibrahim as the Goalkeeper Coaches and Muhammad Ali Khan as the Strength and Conditioning Coach.

PAKISTAN SQUAD (Probables)

Goal-Keepers: Salman Ul Haq, Saqib Hanif, Hassan Ali and Abdul Basit

Defenders: Mamoon Moosa Khan, Muhammad Sohail, Junaid Shah, Umar Hayat
Haseeb Khan, M. Saddam, Muhammad Hamza Munir, Kamil Ahmad Khan and Muhammad Adeel

Midfielders: Alamgir Ghazi, Rajab Ali, Ali Uzair, Moin Ahmad, Zaid Umer, M Zahid Shah and Ali Zafar

Forwards: Shayek Dost, Fareed Ullah, Muhammad Waleed Khan, Muhammad Waheed, Muhammad Adeel Younas and Yasir Arafat

Diaspora players’ names will be included in the final squad.

KHURRAM NAWAZ KHAN:

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced a brief postponement of the District Football Association (DFA) elections. This decision comes shortly after the publication of the list of clubs eligible to cast votes, with the final roster of voters initially slated for release by March 3.

The PFF has received appeals from approximately 900 clubs, addressing which has necessitated this delay. To date, 397 of these appeals have been resolved, with the involved clubs being duly informed. The Electoral Appeals Committee, supported by the PFF’s Legal Department, is diligently working through the remaining appeals.

The elections have also seen an overwhelming submission of over 1,000 nominations for various district positions. This surge in participation has contributed to the postponement. Any further updates on the schedule and proceedings will be communicated in due time.

-ENDS-

Khurram Shehzad Awan :

The latest chapter in Saudi Arabia’s football evolution came to a close this past weekend as the 2024 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Women’s Championship reached its conclusion – the first official 11-a-side women’s tournament ever held in the Kingdom.  

A milestone occasion that attracted nationwide interest and engagement, this 8^th edition of the Championship was staged in Jeddah throughout its 11-day duration from 19-29 February as seven countries competed alongside the host nation.

Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Nepal, Palestine, Syria, and Guam joined Saudi Arabia with fixtures played at the King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sport City stadiums. 15 matches were played in total across the group and knock-out stages. The final was played in front of over 4,000 fans at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sport City Stadium and ended 2-2 after full time, with Jordan winning the tournament via a penalty shoot-out against Nepal in Thursday’s final.

The final was attended by Adwa AlArifi Assistant Minister for Sport Affairs at the Ministry of Sport, Lamia Bahian Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), Khalil Al Salem WAFF General Secretary, and Aalia AlRasheed, Head of the Women’s Football Department at SAFF.

Lamia Bahaian, Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation said: “This incredible milestone will be forever etched in Saudi football history as the first official 11-a-side women’s tournament hosted in the Kingdom – and it is one we will build from moving forward. We promise that the 2024 WAFF Women’s Championship is the start of an exciting new era for professional women’s football in Saudi Arabia. Besides showcasing our hosting credentials to the region and wider world, it has paved the way for more competitions to make their way to our shores in the years ahead. For sure, this will be the first of many.”

Women’s football in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a massive transformation and the 2024 WAFF’s Women’s Championship was the latest illustration of nationwide growth and development. With thousands of fans in attendance throughout the competition, Bahaian insists the women’s game is inspiring audiences as a driving force for positive change – with the Saudi Arabia women’s national team “instrumental” to the direction of travel.

Aalia Al Rasheed, Head of Women’s Football Department at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, added: “Women’s football in Saudi Arabia is one of the most exciting stories in world football today – and the future is bright. We have a unique opportunity to be one of the catalysts for positive change in the global women’s game, and international tournaments are one of the many ways we can harness the full potential of this opportunity. Looking ahead, we can promise that the 2024 WAFF Women’s Championship is just the start of our hosting story.”

Khurram Nawaz Khan:

The Saudi Arabia women’s national team ended its 2024 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Women’s Championship campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Guam on Friday night.

With qualification out of reach for both teams following previous results against Jordan and Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Guam went head-to-head with a third-place finish in Group A up for grabs.

While Saudi Arabia played well and went close on numerous occasions, Guam took all three points.

Despite being unable to register a victory in its first-ever appearance in the competition, progression has been clear for all to see under new head coach Lluís Cortés as the team gave a solid account of themselves against strong opposition.

For the women’s national team, attentions now turn to the future. The players will return to their club teams where they will resume playing in the second season of the Women’s Premier League until April.

Taking place in Jeddah until February 29, the 2024 WAFF Women’s Championship is the first official 11-a-side women’s tournament ever held in Saudi Arabia.

Islamabad: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has finalized the venue for FIFA world cup qualifier round 2 match with schedule to be played on 21 March. According to the PFF ” Pakistan team will play the important match of FIFA world cup qualifier round 2 against Jordon on 21 March at Jinnah Stadium Islamabad which is located in Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad”

The match will be played in day time without the flood lights as after the consistent negotiations with the management of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) it is finalized”.

According to the PFF ” The floodlights at the Jinnah stadium is not according to the FIFA standards so match against Jordon will be played in day light”

The home leg will be scheduled at Jinnah Stadium Islamabad on 21 March whereas The away leg match will be played on 26 March at Jordon.