ISLAMABAD, April 23: Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka 1-0 in the AFC Under-14 Festival of Football at the Jinnah Stadium on a day Nepal maintained their impressive run.

Faisal Iqbal netted the match-winner on the 8th minute. There was still more for the hosts to cheer about when Pakistan ‘A’ defeated Bhutan 2-0 for their second win over the same side in two days.

Jabran bin Salman was on target on the 16th minute while M. Raees scored the second goal three minutes later.

On the first day of competition on Saturday, Pakistan had also walloped Bhutan 3-0. They repeated the act on Sunday this time downing them 2-0.

Nepal, who had started off with three victories on the opening day continued to shine making it five wins out of five over two days.

Their victims on Sunday were Bangladesh, beaten 2-0 and Pakistan ‘A’ who were handed a 1-0 defeat.

Pokhreli Bijaya Gurunp put in the lone goal off a corner from Ram Krishna.

In another match, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh drew a blank as the Format-I of the tournament involving games of 30 minutes duration ended.

On Monday the players will undergo skills test before the event switches to Format II with nine matches of 60 minutes each to be contested on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Results: Nepal bt Bangladesh 2-0; Pakistan bt Sri Lanka 1-0; Pakistan ‘A’ bt Bhutan 2-0; Bangladesh-Sri Lanka 0-0; Nepal bt Pakistan ‘A’ 1-0; Pakistan bt Bhutan 2-0; Bangladesh bt Pakistan ‘A’ 2-0; Nepal bt Pakistan 1-0; Sri Lanka-Bhutan 0-0.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...