VIENTIANE (The Thursday Times) — Pakistan’s under-17 football team beat hosts Laos 3-0 in Vientiane on Saturday, with Muhammad Essa scoring twice, to stay in the race for a place at the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027.
All three goals came in the first half at the New Laos National Stadium, and all three came from deliveries on the left. Essa opened the scoring in the 14th minute, looping a header over goalkeeper Sankham Thavithong from Abdul Samad’s free-kick.
Hazrat Abbas headed in the second in the 27th minute after Muhammad Moosa went past two defenders and crossed. Samad then set up Essa for his second goal on the stroke of half-time.
Laos played better after the break, but goalkeeper Samar Razzaq kept them out. He won a one-on-one against Phonesavanh Khonephachit in the 50th minute and then saved firmly from Sisombat Vilaysone, while a 30-yard free-kick from Sounikone Inthabanleuang flew just over. When Razzaq misjudged a ball in the 81st minute, Kaisone Muenviseth failed to make clean contact.
The win gives Pakistan six points from three Group D matches. They opened with a 3-1 win over Sri Lanka on November 8 and lost 1-0 to Iran on Wednesday, when Amir Mohamed Zarei scored in the ninth minute and Pakistan had a late claim that the ball had crossed the line turned down.
Iran and Jordan also have six points, from two games each. Iran beat Sri Lanka 11-0 earlier on Saturday, and Jordan have beaten Laos 2-0 and Sri Lanka 10-0. Seven places at the finals are still open, one for each qualifying group, so only the group winners will go through.
Iran play Jordan on Tuesday, and Pakistan finish their campaign against Jordan on Friday, November 20. Uzbekistan hosts the finals next year.
On the same day, Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team lost the Asia Cup final to India by one wicket off the last ball.
