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FOOTBALL - FIFA News 15 Feb, 2024

FIFA Men’s World Ranking: No changes in the top ten

CAF and AFC nations make moves: Angola and Qatar make biggest stridesSports DeskISLAMABAD: Although it is a case of as you were amongst the ten teams that lead the way in the latest edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, there is plenty of movement further down the standings following the matches contested in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations and the AFC Asian Cup.Amongst the African sides, Côte d’Ivoire (39th, up 10) reap the rewards of their continental triumph on home soil, secured following an eventful tournament campaign. Beaten finalists Nigeria (28th, up 14) make significant strides but are no match for the Angola side they ousted in the last eight (93rd, up 24), who are the biggest climbers in the latest instalment of the global ranking.In the points stakes, two-time Asian Cup winners Qatar (37th, up 21) chalk up the biggest tally (92.04 points) after capitalising on home comforts to successfully defend their continental crown. Elsewhere, Jordan (70th, up 17), who were edged out by the Maroons in the final, make good ground, as do Thailand (101st, up 12), whose journey came to an end at the last-16 stage.Qatar’s rise sees them enter uncharted territory, with two other teams also recording best-ever rankings. Senegal (17th, up 3), who suffered shoot-out heartbreak at the hands of the eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, break new ground, while Tajikistan (99th, up 7) mark their maiden Asian Cup campaign by making a first-ever appearance in the top 100.

FOOTBALL - Int News 06 Feb, 2024

Saudi Arabia to host 2024 WAFF Women’s Football Championship

Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Guam, Nepal. And host Saudi Arabia to fight for a titleSports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): Saudi Arabia will host the 2024 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Women’s Championship. A milestone moment for women’s football in Saudi Arabia, the 2024 WAFF Women’s Championship will take place from 19-29 February in the coastal city of Jeddah.The host nation will be joined by Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and two guests Guam and Nepal. The tournament will begin in group stage format with two groups of four, followed by the semi-finals and final with matches played at the King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City stadiums.The WAFF Women’s Championship is the latest international football tournament making its way to Jeddah, where the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup had recently been held. Jeddah also played host to the 2022 WAFF Futsal Championship where the national team rose to the occasion in front of its home fans and ended the tournament in second place with a silver medal.This upcoming edition also marks the Saudi Arabia women’s national team’s first-ever appearance in the WAFF Women’s Championship, as well as the first competition under Lluis Cortes, the new head coach. Since his appointment in December, the team has kicked off a new era in impressive fashion under the former Barcelona treble-winning coach, recording successive 2-0 victories against Syria.Lamia Bahaian, Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be hosting the WAFF Women’s Championship. Looking ahead to what promises to be a brilliant tournament, we’re especially excited about the impact this will have in terms of inspiring women and young girls across the Kingdom while supporting women’s football development nationally and regionally.“The individual and collective success of our domestic leagues, together with our success in hosting two editions of the SAFF Women’s Friendly Tournament and the 2022 WAFF Futsal Championship, shows that the foundations are in place for us to take the next big step in our journey. This means hosting an official 11-a-side competition. We’re excited to welcome members of the wider football ecosystem together for an incredible event – one that’s certain to showcase the full power of football as a force for good and a platform for turning dreams into reality.”WAFF General Secretary Khalil Al Salem said: “For WAFF, our mission has always been to promote football development by various means – including by organising championships across territories and paving the way for countries to compete and fans to become inspired. This announcement is the latest testament that our direction of travel is positive. With the WAFF Women’s Championship heading to Saudi Arabia, teams are competing in official competition in a new setting – with more opportunities to test themselves at the international level in front of audiences whose number one passion is football. There is no doubt that this tournament will witness high-level competition and exceptional organisation, building on the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's successful track record in hosting football tournaments at various levels.”

FOOTBALL - Rugby 05 Feb, 2024

Kashmir Solidarity Rugby: Lahore Hawks beat Islamabad Jinns 26-5 final

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Hosts Lahore Hawks outplayed Islamabad Jinns 26-5 in the final of the Kashmir Solidarity 10s Rugby Tournament that concluded here on Monday. Winners were up 07-0 at half time.Under the auspices of Pakistan Rugby Union, Lahore Rugby Football Club (LRFC) organized the 1st LRFC Kashmir Solidarity 10s Rugby Tournament with the corporation Servis Tyres at Pakistan Rugby Academy Lahore. Four teams participated in this one-day event, of which LRFC, Lahore Hawks, Islamabad Jinns, and Desert Camels Fort Abbas are the teams.Lahore Hawks beat Islamabad Jinns in the final by 26-5 and won this event. At half time, the score was 07-05. From Lahore Hawks, Amsal and Amir score two and two tries each, while Umer scores one and some conversions by other players. From Islamabad jinns, Sohaib scored only one try.Before that, league matches were played between four teams: in the first game, LRFC beat Desert Camels 29-05, Islamabad Jinns beat Desert Camels 24-0, Lahore Hawks beat LRFC 17-15, Lahore Hawks beat Desert Camels 19-0, and LRFC beat Islamabad Jinns 19-21. In 3rd and 4th position matches, LRFC beat Desert Camels 24-7.In the end, chief guest, President of Pakistan Rugby Union and Director of Servis Tyres Ch. Arif Saeed, along with chairmen PRU Fawzi Khawaja, distributed trophies and prizes. At this moment, many former players of Punjab Rugby, LRFC officials Tariq Naiazi, Haji Anwar, Umer Uaman, Mohammad Baber, Mohammad Pasha, Mohammad Waseem, and others also witnessed this event.

FOOTBALL - National 30 Dec, 2023

FIFA MA Elite Referee Course 2023 concludes in Lahore

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) with assistance from FIFA, conducted a five-day Member Associations Elite Refereeing Course 2023 at Football House, Lahore.The course, featuring 30 referees from various regions nationwide, commenced on December 26, 2023, and reached its conclusion today in Lahore.Mohammad Rodzali, a FIFA Referee Development Officer and Khalidi Bin Supian, a Physical Fitness Instructor from Malaysia dedicated five days to sharing their expertise with a group of 30 male and female referees and instructors. By engaging in theoretical and practical discussions, they facilitated a comprehensive learning experience for the referees. In the closing ceremony, after distributing the certificates among participants Member Pakistan Football Federation Normalisation Committee Mohammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar, said: "I would like to thank Mr Rodzali who came here to teach referees new things according to FIFA and AFC standards. He extended his best wishes to all the participants who not only acquired new knowledge but would also pass it on and officiate in future matches and reinforced the commitment to improving the refereeing landscape in Pakistan. We want them to always be on top of the game and never doubt themselves,” he added.

FOOTBALL - Int News 22 Nov, 2023

Chairman NC, Haroon Malik hails team performance against Tajikistan

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Chairman, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalization Committee (NC) Haroon Malik has said that long-term planning for the national soccer team was the need of the hours, as the World No. 193 Pakistan team’s performance against World No. 109 Tajikistan was acceptable despite of losing the game 1-6 at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex on Tuesday.While talking to media reports after the match, Haroon added that he was satisfied with the performance of players and the work of overseas coach Stephen. “We beat Cambodia 1-0 at home and we lost to the world’s best football team Saudi Arabia 0-4 on their soil and people were happy with the performance. The same coach (Stephen) had prepared the strategy, ‘he replied a question. “FIFA Qualifier on home ground, witnessed by 20,000 passionate football fans. I am thankful to Stephen Constantine and our players who provided us moments to cheer. Our players tried to give their best against the much superior visiting side, playing much better than expected in such a short span of time, “he further added."These six second-round matches of FIFA Qualifiers are development matches. Our entire effort is to qualify for the AFC Cup. I am very satisfied and happy with the team’s performance, and I hope they will further improve it under the able coaching and guidance of national team coach Stephen Constantine,” Malik asserted, emphasizing gradual progress. Responding to a query about a professional league, Malik advocated for a league based on home and away matches with a points system. He believed that a professional league for clubs would attract better players, contributing to the national team's success on the international stage. Regarding the national team's international exposure, Malik stated, "From 2022 till now, Pakistan's national men’s team played 36 international matches, gaining confidence and experience. We are now at the very basic step of the right track, with a gradual process to be competitive at South Asian and Asia levels. "We can hope to make gradual progress and bring joy to our football fans," Malik concluded.

FOOTBALL - Int News 21 Nov, 2023

FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Tajikistan outclass Green Shirts 6-1

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: World No. 193 hosts Pakistan succumbed to heavyweights World No. 109 Tajikistan, who outplayed Green Shirts 6-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Tuesday. Over 20 thousand people enjoyed the game in the wonderful weather and excellent conditions of the capital city.The match kicked off at 2:00 pm, as the Green Shirts got a free kick in the 4th minute of the game on the top of D, as the chance could not be fruitful for the hosts. However, in the 9th minute, a joint move from left-corner Kamolov Amadoni managed the ball in the net after getting a rebound from the left side of Pakistani goalkeeper Yousaf Ejaz Butt, as Tajikistan succeeded in earning an earlier lead in a vital fixture of FIFA World Cup Qualifier.After 5 minutes, Soirov Rustam doubled the lead by scoring a goal, as guided the ball into the goalpost as he received a pass from a midfielder from the left side. After going down 0-2, Pakistan coach Stephen Constantine made some changes in the strategy. Pakistan footballs were looking bit quick and tried their best to reduce the goal deficit, as in the efforts they got a couple of corners too. Rahis Nabi finally scored a goal for Pakistan in the 14th minute from the right side of the box. He made the score-line 1-0.Tajikistan managed two more goal during the first half of the match, as Pakistani players were bit slow in the last moments of the first half and opposition netted the ball in the 45th minute of the match. Umarboev Parvizion, and Ehson Panshanbe scored the 3rd and 4th goal for their team in the 27th and 45th minutes respectively.In the second half, the visitors added two more goals while the hosts could not score a goal in the last 45 minutes. At the final whistle, the score-line was 6-1 in the favour of Tajikistan. The match referee, Yusuke Araki from Japan controlled the proceeding while Jun Mihara, and Kota Watanabe, also from Japan, were his assistants on the line.Pakistan Squad: Yousuf Ejaz Butt (Goalkeeper), Mohib Ullah Khan, Abdullah Iqbal, Mamoon Moosa Khan, Otis Khan (Captain), Rahis Nabi, Imran Shahid Kayani, Harun Arrashid Faheem, Junaid Ahmed Shah, Abdul Samad, Alamgir Ali Khan.Substitutes: Mohammad Hammad Waheed, Haseeb Ahmed Khan, Mohammad Waleed Khan, Rajab Ali, Fareed Ullah, Mohammad Sadam, Ali Uzair Mahmood, Mohammad Hamza Munir, Moin Ahmed, Salman-ul-Haq, Hassan Ali, Mohammad SohailHead Coach: Stephen Constantine (United Kingdom)Tajikistan Squad: Yatimov Rustam (Goalkeeper), Zoir Dzhuraboev, Safarov Manuchehr, Vahdat Hanonov, Umarboev Parvizion, Amirbek Juraboev, Soirov Rustam, Dzhalilov Alisher, Kamolov Amadoni, Akhtam Nazarov (Captain), Ehson Panshanbe Substitutes: Islomov Tabrez, Nazarov Kholmurod, Mohammad Jon Rahimov, Qurbonov Sodiqion, Burizod Alijoni, Mabatshoev Shervoni, Barotov Dalerion, Khailoev Ruslan, Khamrokulov Nuriddin, Mohammad Ali Azizboev, Samiev Shahrom, Hasanov Muhriddin (Goalkeeper)Head Coach: Peter Segrt (Croatia)Match Officials:Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan)Assistant Referee 1: Jun Mihara (Japan)Assistant Referee 2: Kota Watanabe (Japan)Fourth Official: Ngo Duy Lan (Vietnam)Referee Assessor: Kadhum Auda Al-Saedi (Iraq)Match Commissioner: Alim Arifov (Uzbekistan).

FOOTBALL - Int News 03 Nov, 2023

PFF announces probables for FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced probable for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier Round 2, where the Green Shirts are set to face Saudi Arabia in an away match on November 16 and will host Tajikistan at Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad on November 21. The camp will start on November 4 at Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad.Pakistan Squad: Salman Ul Haq, Usman Ali and Hassan Ali (Goalkeepers), Mamoon Moosa Khan, Mohibullah, Mohammad Sohail, Junaid Shah, Ali Khan Niazi, Rao Umar Hayat, Haseeb Khan, Umar Javed, Mohammad Saddam and Mohammad Hamza Munir (Defenders), Alamgir Ghazi, Ali Uzair, Rajab Ali, Zaid Umer, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Zahid Shah, Ali Zafar and Imran Kiyani (Midfielders), Shayak Dost, Moin Ahmed, Fareed Khan, Waleed Khan, Mohammad Waheed, Nizamuddin, Hamza Ahmed, Samnan and Adeel Younas (Forwards).

FOOTBALL - Int News 17 Oct, 2023

Pakistan beat Cambodia 1-0 to reach Round-II of FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Khurram Shahzad AwanISLAMABAD: Pakistan defeated Cambodia 1-0 to reach the second round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time in history here at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex on Tuesday.Haroon Hamid scored the only goal of the match in the 69th minute. Thousands of fans celebrated Pakistan's victory at the Jinnah Stadium.Federal Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, Federal Secretary Inter-Provincial Liaison Ahmed Hanif Orkazi, and Director General Pakistan Sports Board Shoaib Khoso watched the match.Caretaker Sports Minister Balochistan Jamal Raisani said that international football has returned to Pakistan, this is Pakistan's first victory in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, I congratulate the Pakistani team and the nation on the victory, give all possible support to the Pakistan Football Federation.

FOOTBALL - Int News 10 Oct, 2023

Otis Khan confident ahead of World Cup Qualifier against Cambodia

Sports Bulletin ReportCAMBODIA: Otis Khan, the forward for the Pakistani football team, is eager to excel in the crucial World Cup Qualifier against Cambodia, expressing his hopes for a successful performance. Speaking highly of their preparation and belief in the team's abilities, Otis Khan said: "We know it will be a difficult game. Cambodia is a formidable side and has prepared well for the match but I always believe in us 100 percent and we must fight till the end, focusing on executing our roles as a cohesive unit," he stated. "The foreign coach possesses a vast knowledge of football and he has implemented an excellent structure within the team. I firmly believe that if we stick to our game plan given by our qualified coach and try to give our best, we can secure a victory against Cambodia,” he added. Recognizing that they are the underdogs, having never won a World Cup Qualifier before, the national team player termed this challenge as an opportunity. "Preparation is going really well, and our training sessions are detailed, with each player understanding their responsibilities. "I have a great belief in my team and I believe we can emerge victorious in this game and create a history. It's something we're all striving for, and we understand the significant opportunities that victory will bring, both individually and as a team. We must give our all – fight, run, and leave everything on the field for Pakistan," Otis Khan asserted.

FOOTBALL - Clubs & Schools 09 Oct, 2023

Urtasker Female Team Wins Breast Cancer Awareness Football Match

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Urtasker Group of Companies organized a captivating Football Championship for Breast Cancer Awareness in October, fondly known as "Pink Month." In an inspiring display of unity, 2 female and 5 male teams came together to raise awareness for a noble cause. This event was held in collaboration with the Leisure Leagues and World Group and showcased Urtasker's commitment to corporate social responsibility. The event was held at Zaraj Football Ground in Rawalpindi.The two formidable female teams battled fiercely on the field, representing Urtasker and Leisure Leagues. In a heart-pounding match, the Urtasker’s female team emerged triumphant with a 1-0 victory, demonstrating their dedication to the cause.Meanwhile, in the male category, the New Yorkers showed their sportsmanship by winning against the Pindi Badshah with a score of 1-0 in the final. However, in the true spirit of fair play and unity, the New Yorkers gave the winning title to the Pindi Badshah team.There were 10 pool matches among 5 teams, and the qualifiers played the semifinals and final. The other teams included Jhelum Stallions, Urtasker Hawks, and Urtasker United.Zeeshan Riaz, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer of Urtasker said: "This tournament was about more than just football; it was about coming together as a community to support a crucial cause. We're proud to have played a part in raising awareness for breast cancer and promoting unity through sports."This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Urtasker Group of Companies has celebrated the spirit of sportsmanship and contributed significantly to the ongoing fight against breast cancer. By organizing this impactful football championship, they have successfully combined passion for the game with an unwavering commitment to creating awareness and promoting unity in the community.