Pakistan Falls to India 3-2 in Thrilling SAFF Opener

News Desk

DHAKA: Pakistan’s football team suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against India in their SAFF Championship opener at the National Stadium on Thursday, despite a spirited late comeback.

Trailing 3-0 at halftime, the Shaheens mounted a remarkable fightback, with Najeebullah scoring his first international goal in the second minute of stoppage time, followed by a stunning overhead kick from Alamgir Ghazi just two minutes later.

The late rally, however, was not enough to secure a point against their arch-rivals, as India held firm to claim all three points in this Group ‘B’ encounter.

This defeat highlights the challenges facing Pakistan’s football team, particularly in high-stakes matches against traditional rivals.

The first-half performance was marked by a lack of cohesion and defensive lapses, raising concerns among fans and analysts about the team’s readiness for the tournament.

Looking ahead, Pakistan will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next match in the SAFF Championship, where they will aim to bounce back and keep their hopes alive in the tournament.