KARACHI, Aug 13: Pakistan’s football team kicked off their campaign at the Asian Youth Games with a 3-1 victory against Chinese Taipei on Tuesday.

The Games, being held in the Chinese city of Nanjing, officially open on Friday but the football event has already started.

In their Group ‘D’ opener, Pakistan took the lead in the 12th minute after Junaid scored off a delightful pass by fellow striker Shahid.

Chinese Taipei replied eight minutes later but Junaid restored Pakistan’s lead in the 28th when he scored his second following a through ball by Majeed.

Shahid rounded off the scorning in the 35th minute to seal all three points for Pakistan’s young brigade.

Pakistan will next face South Korea on Thursday before ending their group stage fixtures with a game against Vietnam on Saturday.

The Games, which are in their second edition, are organised every four years for athletes from 14-17 years and are expected to feature 3,900 athletes and officials from 45 countries.

There will be a total of 118 events in 16 sports, six more than that of the previous edition held in Singapore in 2009.

Pakistan’s 73-member contingent will take part in the shooting, swimming, weightlifting, handball, tennis, rugby and squash events at the Games.—Sports Reporter