KARACHI, Nov 22: Pakistan football coach Tariq Lutfi said on Saturday his team will be facing a “strong challenge” from lowly-rated Kyrgyzstan in World Cup pre-qualifying games.

Hosts Pakistan take on Kyrgyzstan in home match at People’s Stadium here on Nov 29, while their away match will be played in Bishkek on Dec 3.

“We are not aware about the strength of Kyrgyz team and as we have not seen them in action before,” coach said.

However, he said despite their low world and Asian ranking Kyrgyzstan should be a good team. He said Kyrgyzstan lacked exposure after breaking away from the former Soviet Union but at the same added they must have talented players in their ranks.

Tariq said Pakistan had never made it to the second stage in World Cup qualifiers but added that team was showing better results in recent months.

He said Pakistan beat teams like India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in SAF competition but lost to Maldives in the semifinal.

“We are trying hard to raise the standard of football in the country but it needs a professional approach and hard work,” Lutfi said.

He was worried about his team’s away match in Bishkek where temperature could go below minus 10 degrees centigrade with chances of snowfall during the match.

He said FIFA officials had asked Kyrgyzstan football officials to arrange red football in case of snow fall.—APP