COLOMBO — Pakistan delivered a commanding performance at the Racecourse Ground on Friday, beating the Maldives 5–2 to register their second straight win in the SAFF U-17 Championship and strengthen their bid for a semifinal berth.
Forward Mansoor Ahmad stole the show with a first-half treble. He opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a composed finish, doubled the lead in the 32nd and completed the hat trick from the penalty spot in the 45th minute. Maldives briefly threatened a turnaround when Ali Ilaan pulled one back in the 42nd minute, but Pakistan responded before the break.
Muhammad Abdullah added two more for Pakistan, restoring and extending the cushion with a spot-kick in first-half stoppage time and then converting again in the 61st minute after a slick team move. Maldives’ Mohamed Shayan Shifau reduced the deficit in the 71st minute, but Pakistan saw out the remaining minutes to secure a comfortable victory.
The result gives Pakistan six points from two matches and leaves them well placed to reach the semifinals. The team now turns its attention to a high-profile group finale against regional rivals India on Monday, a match that will likely decide top spot in the group.
Mansoor’s hat trick and Abdullah’s brace provided a clinical attacking display and underlined Pakistan’s growing confidence at the tournament. With momentum on their side, Pakistan head into the decisive fixture knowing a positive result would almost certainly book their place in the next round.
