Pakistan have reached the final of the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in Male on Sunday, beating Afghanistan 2-0 to seal their first appearance in a standalone international football final in 64 years.
Umar Nawaz and Harun Hamid scored the goals as Pakistan finished top of the four-team round-robin standings and booked a place in the title clash on June 10.
Umar put them ahead in the fifth minute, side-footing home from close range after meeting a low cross from Shayek Dost. The early goal allowed Pakistan to dictate play, with Afghanistan struggling to create openings despite needing a win to secure their own place in the final.
Pakistan continued to threaten through Umar, Shayek and Otis Khan, while Haris Zeb and Fazal provided width from the flanks. Otis came close to doubling the lead in the 32nd minute, setting up Easah Suliman with a diagonal pass, but the defender’s effort sailed over the bar.
Afghanistan’s best chance of the first half came in stoppage time when captain Omid Popalzay struck the crossbar from a free-kick.
The Afghans increased the pressure after the break but Pakistan remained dangerous on the counter. Shayek released Ali Agha on the hour mark, but the forward failed to beat the goalkeeper. Omid Mosawi also went close with a header that drifted wide.
Harun sealed the win when he raced onto an Adil Nabi through ball and fired home with a powerful finish.
Pakistan entered the match on the back of a 3-0 win over hosts Maldives, their first international victory in 961 days. The result marks their first appearance in the final of a standalone international football tournament since the 1962 Merdeka Cup, where they finished runners-up to Indonesia.
Their last title came in 1952, when they shared the Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament crown with India.
The Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament is a football competition organised to mark the 60th anniversary of the Football Association of Maldives, hosted by the Maldives in Male.
