“We played the second match beautifully against Maldives and this makes the players feel confident,” said Pakistani coach Akhtar Mohiuddin. -File Photo

LAHORE: Pakistan is aiming to get a satisfactory result against Oman on Thursday after a loss against Thailand and a draw with Maldives, in an attempt to cement a place in the next round in the 16th Asian Games football tournament in Guangzhou.

The match will take place on Thursday, 11 November at Guangdong People’s Stadium during the football event held under Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) at Chinese city Guangzhou. It will be third and final match for both teams in Group F.

Thailand are brimming with confidence in Group-F after opening their campaign with a 6-0 win against Pakistan while Oman beat Maldives 3-0 on Sunday. On Tuesday, Pakistan drew 0-0 with Maldives while Oman, seen as Thailand’s toughest opponents in the group stage, held them 1-1.

The event comprises of 24 teams divided into six groups of four teams each with the top two sides from each group plus the four best third placed teams making it into the Round of 16. From there on it would be a knockout tournament to win the gold medal.

“It will be a big test for our boys,” said Omanese coach Al Baluashi Ibrahim Sumar Dilmurad.

“I want them to top the group to avoid a strong team in the second round.”

“We played the second match beautifully against Maldives and this makes the players feel confident,” said Pakistani coach Akhtar Mohiuddin.

“Our target is to win a place as one of the four best third-placed teams and I feel more and more confident that we will reach our goal. I am confident that our players will give their all. We are not the underdogs to any team,” he said.

“I have told the players that they must try to win and entertain the Chinese fans in the stadium.”

The first international match between Pakistan and Oman was seen at National Cricket Stadium, Karachi during second Quaid-i-Azam International Tournament, and ended in a goalless draw on 24 February 1982.

The second encounter saw Oman winning 3-1 in the10th Seoul Asian Games Football event (Group-1) on 27 September 1986. Oman maintained their winning streak, beating Pakistan in both legs of 14^th the Asian Cup 2006: 4-1 at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad and 5-0 at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat.         

Built in 1987, the 60,000-capacity Tianhe stadium that hosted the final of the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991, will host the final on Thursday, 25 November (7 PM Kick-off). – PPI