KARACHI: Pakistan football team lost their first Group 'B' encounter in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifier 0-3 to Turkmenistan at the MBJB Stadium in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, on Monday.
This was the second time for the 173rd-ranked Pakistan to be playing the 133rd-ranked Turkmenistan, the first time being in 1993 during the sixth ECO Cup when the green jerseys lost to them 4-0.Pakistan now have to win both of their following matches with India (March 23) and Chinese Taipei (March 25) in order to qualify for the next round.
According to the information received here, the first goal was scored by Turkmenistan's Urazov Didarklych when he beat Pakistan's goalie Mohammad Omar to convert a cross pass from the right wing in the sixth minute.
This was followed by Pakistan's missing six good chances, including a header by British-born celebrity footballer Zesh Rehman, due to poor finishing.
Meanwhile, Turkmenistan doubled the lead through midfielder Anamov Arslanmyrat in the 46th minute and turned it into 3-0 when their striker Karadanov Mamedaly steered the ball past substitute keeper Amir Gul in the 86th minute.
Pakistan were playing without their defender Manzoor Ahmed when it was discovered by Match Commissioner Manirul Islam and Referee Inspector Yazbeck that the player had been suspended following a Red Card against Uzbekistan in the 36th Asian U-19 Championship at Takhti Stadium, Iran, on December 10, 2009.
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