Pakistan U17s eye South Asian football title after big 5-1 win vs Sri Lanka

Hopes are high for a high-voltage Pakistan-India encounter taking place this Sunday.

No, it won’t be happening on a cricket or hockey field. It will be an exciting game of football featuring the brightest young things from either side of the divide.

But for that to happen, players from both India and Pakistan will have to overcome their semi-final opponents in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-17 Cup being played at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimpu, Bhutan.

The Indians will meet Nepal while Pakistan face Bangladesh in the last-four stage of the tournament on Saturday.

While India are the favourites for the title, Pakistan are also fancying their chances of winning the coveted title after hammering Sri Lanka 5-1 in their last pool game on Wednesday.

Pakistan exude confidence ahead of semis

Pakistan coach Sajjad Mehmood is optimistic about his team’s chances of winning the SAFF Under-17 Cup.

“The team is playing well and is fully motivated,” Sajjad told Nukta in an interview from Thimpu.

“Yesterday we did a fine job with a thumping 5-1 win over Sri Lanka to top our group. In the previous game against Bhutan our players had got relaxed when were 3-1 up at the start of the injury time. The equalizer we faced just before full time was through a controversial penalty,” he said.

Sajjad added that his charges are fully confident and would not only qualify for the final but would also go on to win the title.

“Our team is fully charged. We will not mind whether we face India or Nepal in the final because we will beat either of them inshaAllah,” he said.

Sajjad said that Bangladesh are a tough side but they know how to beat them.

“We have made work out and have seen their weak points and we will handle them in the semi-final,” Sajjad said.

He said that his players are fit and there is no major injury to anyone.

“Our players don’t have any major injury. Abdul Rehman had some issue and we rested him against Sri Lanka. Hasnain also has a calf issue but physio says there is nothing to worry about and he will recover before the semis. Injuries go side by side as we are playing on astroturf. It requires top level fitness. Our boys have showcased great stamina so far and I am confident we are in our peak. We will do well further also in the event,” said Sajjad, also an AFC License A coach.

Having won the inaugural Under-16 SAFF Cup way back in 2011 Pakistan are looking to win again despite lack of proper preparation at home before their departure for the event.

Pakistan had a brief 12-day camp and they practiced just for three days on astroturf.

Pakistan on Wednesday crushed Sri Lanka 5-1 to emerge as Group B champions with seven points.

Subhan Karim struck twice while Talha, Abdul Ghani and Abdul Samad netted one goal apiece.

At half time Pakistan were leading 3-0. Sri Lanka scored their consolation goal in the 76th minute through Zakariyya Zafarullah.

After taking a solid start to their journey with a 1-0 win over Nepal Pakistan were shockingly held to a 3-3 draw by hosts Bhutan. Pakistan at one stage were leading 3-1 but in the stoppage time Bhutan managed two goals to level the score. Tandin Phuntsho and Sonam Dorji struck in the injury time.

India topped Group B with 1-0 win against Bangladesh and 3-0 victory over Maldives.

Both Bangladesh and Maldives claimed just one point each through their 1-1 drawn game but Bangladesh were able to qualify for the semi-finals due to a better goal count.