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Arab News
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Pakistan football team to travel to Saudi Arabia tomorrow for AFC Asian Cup qualifier camp
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's national football team will travel to Saudi Arabia tomorrow, Thursday, where they will resume training for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier fixture against Syria, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said in a statement. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Pakistan will kick off their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification campaign against Syria on Mar. 25 at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The green shirts concluded their training session in the eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday night, the PFF said. "The team is set to depart for Saudi Arabia tomorrow night, where they will continue their training under the guidance of Head Coach Stephen Constantine," the PFF said. Earlier this month, Pakistan reappointed Constantine, who previously served as the country's head coach from late 2023 until mid-2024, as head coach for the Syria fixture. Pakistan's inclusion in the qualifier was made possible after the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) lifted its international suspension against the country earlier this month. FIFA hit Pakistan on Feb. 6 with a third international suspension in less than eight years after the federation rejected its electoral reforms. Following the suspension, the PFF unanimously approved FIFA's proposed constitutional amendments in an extraordinary meeting in Lahore this month. Pakistan are placed in Group E of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers alongside Syria, Afghanistan and Myanmar. PAKISTAN PROBABLES Goalkeepers: Yousuf Butt, Saqib Hanif, Abdul Basit and Adam Khan Defenders: Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Haseeb Khan, Junaid Shah, Mamoon Moosa, Mohammad Fazal, Abdul Rehman and Waqar Ihtisam Midfielders: Alamgir Ghazi, Ali Uzair, Ali Zafar, Muhammad Umar Hayat, Rahis Nabi, Toqeer ul Hassan, Umair Ali and Moin Ahmed Forwards: Fareedullah, Harun Hamid, Imran Kayani, Mckeal Abdullah, Abdul Samad, Shayak Dost and Muhammad Adeel Younas
Arab News
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Pakistan football team to travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for AFC Asian Cup qualifier camp
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's national football team will travel to Saudi Arabia tomorrow, Thursday, where they will resume training for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier fixture against Syria, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said in a statement. Pakistan will kick off their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification campaign against Syria on Mar. 25 at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The green shirts concluded their training session in the eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday night, the PFF said. "The team is set to depart for Saudi Arabia tomorrow night, where they will continue their training under the guidance of Head Coach Stephen Constantine," the PFF said. Earlier this month, Pakistan reappointed Constantine, who previously served as the country's head coach from late 2023 until mid-2024, as head coach for the Syria fixture. Pakistan's inclusion in the qualifier was made possible after the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) lifted its international suspension against the country earlier this month. FIFA hit Pakistan on Feb. 6 with a third international suspension in less than eight years after the federation rejected its electoral reforms. Following the suspension, the PFF unanimously approved FIFA's proposed constitutional amendments in an extraordinary meeting in Lahore this month. Pakistan are placed in Group E of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers alongside Syria, Afghanistan and Myanmar. PAKISTAN PROBABLES Goal-Keepers: Yousuf Butt, Saqib Hanif, Abdul Basit and Adam Khan Defenders: Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Haseeb Khan, Junaid Shah, Mamoon Moosa, Mohammad Fazal, Abdul Rehman and Waqar Ihtisam Midfielders: Alamgir Ghazi, Ali Uzair, Ali Zafar, Muhammad Umar Hayat, Rahis Nabi, Toqeer ul Hassan, Umair Ali and Moin Ahmed Forwards: Fareedullah, Harun Hamid, Imran Kayani, Mckeal Abdullah, Abdul Samad, Shayak Dost and Muhammad Adeel Younas
Gulf News
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Gulf News
Pakistan returns to international football following FIFA's lifted ban
The squad is currently training in Pakistan, before heading to Saudi Arabia to face Syria Last updated: March 19, 2025 | 12:00 1 MIN READ Pakistan will face Syria in an Asian Cup qualifier Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)/X The Pakistan national football team is set to make their return to international competition when they face Syria in Saudi Arabia on March 25, marking their first match since FIFA lifted their latest suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). The team's participation in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers was cast into uncertainty after FIFA imposed a suspension last month. The suspension stemmed from the PFF's failure to adopt revisions to its constitution, which would ensure truly fair and democratic elections - an essential step in meeting FIFA's ongoing normalisation process. This marked the third suspension of the PFF in eight years, following similar bans in 2017 and 2021, both triggered by third-party interference. The 2021 suspension was lifted in June 2022, after the PFF's normalisation committee regained full control over the federation's operations and finances. FIFA officially lifted the latest suspension earlier this month, after the PFF approved constitutional amendments that were validated by both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). "The Bureau of the FIFA Council decided on 2 March 2025 to lift the suspension that was imposed on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on 6 February 2025," FIFA confirmed in a statement. Under the leadership of Stephen Constantine, who guided the team to their first-ever World Cup qualifying round victory in October 2023, Pakistan will look to get off to a fast start in their bid to qualify for the Asian Cup for the first time. The squad is currently training in Pakistan, with local-based players preparing for the upcoming match. The team's foreign-based players will join the camp in Saudi Arabia ahead of the game. Sign up for the Daily Briefing Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
Arab News
14-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Pakistan Football League announces cash award, job for financially struggling footballer
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football League (PFL) on Wednesday announced a cash prize of Rs1 million [$3,573] and a 'prominent position' in the league for struggling footballer Muhammad Riaz, who made headlines recently after a video of him selling a popular street to make ends meet went viral on social media. The announcement came days after Riaz, who represented Pakistan in the 2018 Asian Games, was seen in a video frying popular street snacks jalebis in the northwestern city of Hangu. The video went viral online, with netizens criticizing the government and sports bodies for ignoring the footballer. Sports athletes in the subcontinent, including Pakistan, usually come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds before becoming household names overnight and attaining financial success. 'I on behalf of PFL would like to reward Muhammad Riaz with a prize money of Rs1 million and a prominent position in PFL as he is not only an excellent player but has also represented Pakistan at the global fronts on the soccer field,' the league quoted PFL Chairman Farhan Junejo as saying in a statement. 'And such amazing talent deserves all the support we can offer in our maximum capacity' The PFL is a franchise league that says it is driven by a UK-based company with foreign investment solely committed to uplifting football from the grassroots to a professional level in Pakistan. PFL said it took notice of the viral video and established contact with Riaz, describing him as a 'prime example' of thousands of talented footballers who are forced to quit their profession due to financial constraints. 'PFL remains committed in its objective to revive football in Pakistan and provide international training for all other footballers like Riaz,' the league said. Riaz thanked the PFL for recognizing the hardships he had to deal with following the previous government's decision to suspend departmental sports. 'I am thankful to PFL for providing me an opportunity to showcase my lost love for football and ensure that I will be working together with PFL to make sure no other player remains neglected,' Riaz was quoted as saying. The PFL said it would also make arrangements to provide Riaz training as per international standards to ensure football talent in the country doesn't go unnoticed. It added that PFL would also offer free football kits and training facilities to footballers in Hangu. The plight of football in Pakistan is a tale of unfulfilled potential, administrative chaos and lack of investment. Despite a passionate fan base and a pool of talented players, the sport has suffered due to mismanagement by governing bodies, political interference and inadequate infrastructure. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has been marred by internal disputes and FIFA suspensions which have hindered the development of the game at all levels.
Express Tribune
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Constantine set to coach Pak again
The Pakistan Football Federation has decided to reappoint Stephen Constantine as the head coach of the national team for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. While an official announcement is yet to be made, the decision comes as Pakistan gears up for the third round of the qualifiers, marking a crucial phase in the country's footballing journey. However, according to reports, Constantine has been asked for coaching role only for the AFC Asian Cup qualifier match against Syria. A decision for long term appointment will be made at a later stage. "He is coming only for this qualifier (vs Syria). We don't have enough time for any change so we asked Stephen to come back for this match," a PFF official said. Constantine previously managed the Pakistan team from 2023 to 2024. During his first stint with Pakistan team, the Shaheens managed to win the FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Cambodia and for the first time ever in history, qualified for the second round of qualifiers – though couldn't' proceed beyond that, but team showed remarkable improvement during his tenure. Stephen Constantine is a familiar name in Asian football, having managed several national teams across the continent, including India and Nepal. He is best known for his two successful tenures with the Indian national team, where he significantly improved India's FIFA ranking and developed young talent. The PFF, according to sources, has also confirmed Pakistan's participation in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, a major step forward following the lifting of FIFA's suspension, Pakistan's first match in the qualifiers is scheduled for March 25, 2024, against Syria. The match, Syria's home game, will be held in Saudi Arabia. According to sources, Constantine is set to take charge of the team for this crucial fixture. Earlier, The International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) lifted the ban on the PFF after the local body made desired constitutional amendments. As per details, the top football governing body revoked the suspension after the PFF approved its proposed constitutional amendments in an Extraordinary Congress last week. Member of the PFF Normalisation Committee (NC) Shahid Khokhar confirming the development thanked FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for their constant support towards Pakistan.
