Pakistan suffered a devastating setback in their first qualifier for the AFC Futsal Asia Cup on Saturday, losing 8-1 against Iraq in their Group ‘D’ opener in Anak, Saudi Arabia.
The winners of the eight groups advance directly to next year’s finals in Indonesia, as do the top seven second-place teams. Pakistan’s next group game is against Saudi Arabia, while Iraq will face Chinese Taipei.
Pakistan began strongly, with an opportunity for Yousaf Ahmad that went wide of the right post, while Tareq Zeyad Sulaiman forced a stop from Pakistan keeper Muhammad Tahir in the third minute.
Iraq got their second in the eighth minute after Zeyad Sulaiman gained possession and found Al Ogaili, who set up Salim Al Husaynat for an easy finish.
Salim Al Darraji then capitalised on an errant pass and a surging run ended with a thumping finish before he got his second in the 28th minute with a stinging shot that found the top corner.
Al Husaynat then doubled his tally two minutes later to make it 5-0 for Iraq after volleying home off a corner with Mustafa Ihsan Al Bayati getting his name on the scoresheet seconds later.
Pakistan reduced the deficit in the 34th minute through Muhammad Ali Khan, but Iraq netted again through Al Darraji and Harith Saad Al Obaidi to kick off their campaign in style.
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