May 13, 2002	Monday	Safar 29, 1423

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KARACHI, May 12: Pakistan’s participation in the Under-17 Asian group VI soccer qualifiers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, hangs in the balance as there was total confusion over the team’s travel plans.

The three-team competition kicks off Monday with Pakistan drawn to face Turkmenistan on Wednesday. Pakistan’s second game is against Tajikistan Friday.

The executive secretary of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Farooq Mir, Sunday said the team would travel to the Tajik capital through a chartered plane Monday. But he refused to confirm the flight’s departure time.

At the same time he hinted that the departure depended on the arrival of the flight from Tajikistan.

The official also failed to elaborate whether the team would leave from Karachi or Islamabad where the squad is training under coach John Layton.

The PFF had requested the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to move the dates of Pakistan’s matches forward saying there was no flight available before May 15.

When contacted in Islamabad, Layton expressed ignorance that the team would be flown by a chartered plane on May 13.

“I have no clue about the travel plans. The only thing I have been told by Farooq Mir is to be ready to go either on Monday or Tuesday,” the English coach said.

He said it would be a loss even if he missed the opener between Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.

“It is vital to watch the game between the two teams as it will help me chalk out strategy for my side,” the coach said adding he had not watched the opposition play before.

The PFF is likely to be imposed heavy fine if it failed to send the team for the AFC tournament.