LAHORE: Faisalabad-born Muhammad Tauseef – Pakistan’s goal-scorer against Palestine – has not forgotten the agony of missed penalties that have led to Pakistan’s exit from three events.
Tausaeef’s goal, which came from a penalty as well, was the first for Pakistan in international football since December 8, 2009 when Arif Mehmood struck a hat-trick in 7-0 win over Bhutan at Dhaka’s Bangabandhu National Stadium.
“We have to improve our penalty-taking skills if we want to win games,” Tauseef said on the eve of the second football test between Pakistan and Palestine.
Last year, Pakistan kept their three Asian Games opponents cornered at times but lacked the finishing edge. To add to their woes, the green shirts missed a goal-scoring opportunity from the spot and lost out on a pre quarter-final berth.
Pakistan Football Federation Secretary Ahmed Yar Lodhi also lamented Pakistan’s poor performance inside the box.
“It is matter of concern for us as fumbling penalties have seen us get eliminated us from big tournaments.”
Lodhi underlined the need for improvement in key areas such as penalty-conversion and midfield tackles, prior to the upcoming international fixtures.
“There is great room for improvement before away leg against Palestine, the second leg of Olympic qualifiers against Malaysia and our matches against India, Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei in 4th AFC Challenge Cup.”
Former Pakistan coach George Kottan was left disappointed when Europ-based midfielder Adnan Farooq Ahmed blasted the 87th-minute penalty wide against Sri Lanka in the Saff Championship 2009.
A month later, two midfielders Abdul Aziz and Abbas Ali missed penalties against the same opposition giving more worrying moments to Kottan in the 11th South Asian Games match at M.A. Aziz Stadium, Chittagong.
The third incident occurred in 16th Asian Games when Samar Ishaq saw his 84th minute spot-kick was blocked by Maldives keeper Imran Mohamed as the islanders Pakistan to a 0-0 draw at the Huangpu Stadium in Guangzhou.
