Pakistan’s World Cup Qualifiers journey ends with sixth straight loss

LAHORE: Pakistan on Tuesday folded their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers second round Group G journey with their sixth straight defeat when they were conquered by Tajikistan 3-0 in their last game in Dushanbe. Pakistan team on Tuesday offered tough resistance to strong opposition.

Tajikistan went ahead in the 35th minute when Mabateshoev Shervoni hit a fine goal. At half time they were leading 1-0.

Safaro. Manuche doubled the hosts’ lead in the 65th minute before Vahdat Hanonov stretched his team’s total to 3-0 with a 70th minute strike.

Former Pakistan assistant coach Nasir Ismail said that it was a good defensive game Pakistan played.

“The result is not bad,” Nasir told The News. “But it would have been better if the head coach had played diaspora players as it would have given him a good idea whether it was good to go with local stuff or diasporas,” Nasir said.

With this Pakistan lost all their six games in Group G second round of the Qualifiers. After beating Cambodia 1-0 on aggregate in the two-legged first round Pakistan had a disappointing start in their second round when they went 4-0 down to Saudi Arabia in Al-Ahsa in November last year. And just days after Tajikistan conquered Pakistan 6-1 in Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium.

Jordan then defeated Pakistan 3-0 in Islamabad before they routed the Green-shirts 7-0 in Jordan.

Saudi Arabia a few days ago downed Pakistan 3-0 in Islamabad and on Tuesday Tajikistan defeated Pakistan 3-0 in Dushanbe. Pakistan will now play in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers.