ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan women’s football team on Wednesday defeated Comoros by 1-0, as a four-nation tournament got underway in Saudi Arabia.
The friendly tournament, featuring Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Comoros, and Mauritius, kicked off at the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Khobar, Eastern Province. It is the first such event since the kingdom launched its national football league for women in 2020.
The Pakistani squad arrived in the kingdom on January 10.
“Pakistan women’s football team beat Comoros by 1-0 in the Women’s International Friendly Tournament, Saudi Arabia 2023,” said the country’s football federation in a media statement. “The match remained goalless (0-0) in the first half. In the second half, Pakistan played aggressive football and Anmol Hira hit the decisive goal to help Pakistan win their opening match of the Four-Nation Cup.”
After defeating Comoros, Pakistan will square off against Mauritius on January 15 before taking on Saudi Arabia on January 19.
Pakistan’s head coach, Adeel Rizki, thanked the kingdom for its hospitality and for hosting a women’s tournament of a “decent standing.”
“Thank you to Saudi Arabia for the good hospitality,” he told Arab News. “We had participated in the South Asian Championship, but haven’t played a match for eight years in any international tournament, so we have many youth players in this tournament and this is a good thing.”
Rizki also told Arab News last week the tournament provided a “good opportunity” for players to get more international exposure.
In 2013, Pakistan faced a ban by FIFA, the international football governing body, due to inactivity, and remained dormant even after it was lifted in 2017. But recently, the PFF has been trying to revive the national squad with regular camps.
In September, the Pakistani women’s team participated in the South Asian Women’s Football Championship and won 7-0 against the Maldives.
