Pakistan brings international football home after a bitter power struggle | Football

When the Pakistan national football team faces Cambodia in the second leg of their World Cup qualifying match in Islamabad on Tuesday, it will bring back memories for Adnan Ahmed. Ahmed, a former footballer born in Burnley, made his international debut for Pakistan almost 16 years ago in a 7-0 loss to Iraq in Lahore. Despite the disappointing result, Ahmed reflects on the bittersweet experience of representing his country for the first time. He notes that many players, including himself, were still getting used to playing together, making it a challenging game. However, in the second leg against Iraq, Pakistan managed to secure a 0-0 draw, marking a significant step for the team in their World Cup qualifying history.

Unfortunately, due to a power struggle within the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), the team has not played a World Cup qualifying match on home soil since that game. However, under their new manager, Stephen Constantine, Pakistan surprised everyone with a 0-0 draw in the first leg against Cambodia, ending a 12-match losing streak. There is now optimism among fans that Pakistan can make history by reaching the second qualifying round, consisting of nine four-team groups.

Ahmed, who won 27 caps for Pakistan and currently runs the One Stop Sports Management agency, believes that it is well within Pakistan’s grasp to achieve this feat. He acknowledges that it will be a pressurized situation and hopes that the players can keep their nerve. He sees reaching the second qualifying round as an unbelievable achievement for the country.

Football in Pakistan has faced a crisis due to a suspension of domestic leagues in 2015 caused by a dispute within the PFF. This dispute led to several sanctions from FIFA, resulting in severe setbacks for the development of the sport in the country. Ahmed expresses sympathy for the local players, as their livelihood depends on playing football. He believes that the situation has gone backwards in recent years but sees the current team as a potential catalyst for change and momentum in Pakistani football.

Ali Ahsan, a journalist from FootballPakistan.com, also highlights the underdevelopment of football in the country. He cites a lack of coaching opportunities for players at the youth level, hindering professional growth in the sport. A stable Pakistan Football Federation is crucial to overcoming these challenges.

Ahmed is part of an independent review group that is working on a long-term plan for Pakistani football. The group aims to create infrastructure and improve grassroots participation, coaching, and facilities. They acknowledge that achieving these goals will take time and careful execution.

The appointment of Stephen Constantine has given hope to millions of fans that Pakistani football is on the cusp of change. Constantine inherited a mostly domestic-based squad that had suffered heavy defeats in previous matches. However, their creditable draw against Cambodia has raised expectations. Whether Constantine’s future depends on their qualification for the first group stage, where they would face Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tajikistan, remains to be seen.

Ahsan reveals that Constantine has identified over 50 players from the Pakistani diaspora across Europe who could potentially play for Pakistan in the future. However, he stresses the importance of providing support to these players to ensure their commitment to the national team.

Pakistan will likely be without Otis Khan, the Grimsby winger, against Cambodia due to an ongoing dispute over his eligibility to play. Khan claims eligibility through his paternal grandfather, who moved to Pakistan after the partition in 1947. FIFA’s ruling on his eligibility came just hours before the first leg, leading to his exclusion from the match.

Ahmed believes that players like Easah Suliman, a former Aston Villa youth player currently playing in Azerbaijan, and Otis Khan can serve as inspirations for South Asian players. He emphasizes the importance of having strong figures in the team to support the development of future generations.

In conclusion, although Pakistani football has faced significant challenges in recent years, there is optimism surrounding the current national team’s performance. With the right support and continued development efforts, Pakistani football has the potential to achieve remarkable success in the future.

Reference

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