KARACHI, Nov 28: Pakistan put their skills to test against Kyrgyzstan for the first time in football history when they meet the visitors in the World Cup pre-qualifying home game at People’s Sports Complex on Saturday.

On paper, the home side certainly seems to be a better outfit occupying 160th place in world ranking against lowly-rated visiting team languishing at 175th spot. Likewise, Pakistan are perched at 30th place in Asia, while Kyrgyzstan at 37th.

But Kyrgyzstan could not be ruled out as pushovers as they have a better track record in the World Cup qualifiers as compared to Pakistan’s.

Although the Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic (FFKR) was formed in 1992 and affiliated with FIFA in 1994 after the independence from the Soviet Union on Aug 31, 1991, Kyrgyzstan have a clear edge over Pakistan in World Cup qualifiers.

The central Asian country has won four of 11 World Cup qualifying games played in brief period of 12 years apart from a draw and six defeats.

On the other hand, since their independence in 1947 from the British, Pakistan have lost 21 of 22 qualifying encounters with an exception of a 3-3 draw with Sri Lanka in 2001.

Kyrgyzstan, however, could not be said as being invincible as they are not as impressive as Azerbaijan and their neighbours Kazakhstan against whom they managed a 1-1 draw in a friendly fixture in 1992 which was their first international appearance.

“Our side is stilling gaining international exposure. We have played 50 matches in all till now and managed only ten victories. We will try our best to win tomorrow’s game,” Kyrgyzstan manager Luzanov Pavel told Dawn.

Pavel said his side started preparations for home and away skirmishes on war footing as FIFA had informed about the activity only a month ago.

“We have trained in harsh winter in Bishkek. We are ready to play football anywhere. But I think at the moment Karachi’s weather is ideal for football,” the manager said.

Since it will be first time both sides meet, Pavel refrained from predicting about Saturday’s game which kicks off at 3.00pm. “It will be our first game against Pakistan. It’s hard to say anything for sure.”

While both sides are keen to take on each other, one thing which might hamper their performances is the pitch which is definitely not at par with international standards.

And the chief organizer admits the fact saying the surface is not up to international standards but is “playable”.

“I agree the pitch is not of a international standard. But we have worked hard to make it playable without any assistance from the city government. We have covered the side drain with sand to make it a standard pitch,” Ghulam Abbas Baloch said at the venue.

There had been furore by the Under-20 visiting sides last year at Asian championship qualifiers over the sub-standard field. Apart from criticism from Maldives and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh coach George Kotan had even dubbed the pitch “rugby field”.

AFC vice-president Manilal Fernando had also commented later the pitch did not meet international standards.

Although the field is not as bad as it was last year, it still has small potholes and some part of grass uneven which might cause injuries to the players, while goal area, which is devoid of grass, has sand instead.

Soccer-hungry spectators, who will be charged Rs10 per head as gate money, will also find it hard to find a seat in a usable condition since most of them are in tatters.

Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has once again paid scant respect to the national squad which has been lodged at Steel Mills hostel, while Kyrgyzstan, who arrived on Friday, are staying at a five-star hotel.

FIFA and AFC have been showering PFF with grants, but national players are still being given shabby treatment by the officials who follow in the footsteps of their predecessors.

The 20-member Kyrgyzstan squad released by organizers:

Djalilov Zakir, Kashuba Valery, Amin Viacheslav, Sydykov Ruslan, Kononov Vasily, Sharapov Alimordon, Samsaliev Talant, Beldinov Aleksandr, Harchencko Vadim, Ishmakov Rinat, Kasymov Marlen, Kniazev Sergey, Vodopianov Radik, Chertkov Vladimir, Boldygin Evgeniy, Kornilov Roman, Krasnov Andrey, Jumagulov Zamirbek, Timofeev Vitaliy, Chikishev Sergey.