Karachi: Pakistan U23 football team clutched host Sri Lanka well and managed a 0-0 draw in a decisive match to secure their place in the final of the inaugural H. E. Mahinda Rajapaksa International Football Tournament alongside Maldives.
But before this game both Pakistan and Sri Lanka bagged three points each after beating Bangladesh with identical 1-0 margin.
Both teams lost their matches to Maldives, Sri Lanka 3-0 and Pakistan 1-0. So the better goal average worked in Pakistan’s favor as both the teams were tied at four points each at points table after the goalless draw.
After playing two matches and winning them both, Maldives had confirmed its presence in the final of the four-nation event. The final will be played on Sunday.
Secretary Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi praised the team for making it to the final of the tournament.
“It is good to see Pakistan in the final. Our players played well in the tournament and therefore their efforts paid and now they have confirmed their place in the final,” Ahmed said.
He said that the federation has been trying its best to feature the national players in as many tournaments as it could to lift the standard of their game.
“Featuring in tournaments such as this will help the players improve their game and perform better in future,” he added.