THIMPU (Bhutan): Pakistan got off to a winning start at the SAFF Under-16 Championship when goals by captain Ubaidullah Khan and Subhan Kareem saw them come from behind to edge hosts Bhutan 2-1 on Saturday.

The Group ‘B’ game had been moved forward by a day after Pakistan faced a delay in receiving the no-objection certificate from their government to travel to Bhutan.

And it took them time to move through the gears as Bhutan took the lead through Tandin Phant in the 13th minute at the Changliminthang Stadium.

However, Pakistan — the 2011 winners — levelled matters four minutes later when Ubaidullah scored from a corner and went ahead on the half hour mark when Subhan fired in from just outside the box.

In an end-to-end game, both sides had chances to score but another goal proved elusive. Pakistan’s next game is against the Maldives on Monday, with Bhutan and Maldives clashing on Wednesday.

The top two teams in each of the two groups advance to the semi-finals.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2023