Pakistan launched their FIFA Series campaign in emphatic fashion, securing a historic 8-0 triumph over the Turks and Caicos Islands at Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan on Thursday. Adeel Rizki’s team set the pace early, with four different players scoring in a commanding first-half display, before adding further goals to seal a record-breaking victory. The result surpassed Pakistan’s previous biggest win — a 7-0 success against the Maldives in September 2022.
The team showed attacking intent from the outset, as Mariam Mahmood, recently crowned Welsh league champion with Wrexham Women, came close with an early effort. Pakistan’s persistence paid off in the 10th minute when Zahmena Malik opened the scoring, following earlier pressure that saw Nadia Khan test goalkeeper Archenie Desir from distance.
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It was 2-0 two minutes later, Aqsa Mushtaq slotting in after a rebound after Mariam had forced a save from Desir.
Pakistan continued to press with midfield metronome Layla Banaras showing her quality when she made it 3-0 with a weaving run and smart finish just past the half-hour mark.
In a game where Pakistan had pinned their opponents in the opposing half for almost the entirety of the match, Mariam got on the scoresheet in the 38th when she expertly volleyed in a cross at the back post.
Pakistan continued in the same vein in the second half, Nadia planting a perfect header to a cross from the left in the 56th to make it 5-0.
Aqsa scored a pearler to make it 6-0 in the 76th before Layla also got her second with a perfectly-placed shot from outside the box. Isra Khan’s goal in the 81st completed the record-breaking triumph.
PFF president Mohsen Gilani hailed the historic win. “I congratulate the players and the coaching staff for creating history. This is the start of a new era for women’s football in Pakistan and I hope the team continues in the same vein in the Fifa series.”
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