Pakistan downed by Yemen in Doha

KARACHI: Pakistan’s defence was exposed as they were downed 3-1 by Yemen in their first leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha on Thursday.
Abdulwasea Al Matri, Mohammad Boqshan and substitute Ala Al Sasi hit one goal apiece for the winners.
For Pakistan skipper Hassan Bashir hit a consolation goal in the second half.
Denmark-based Hassan led the side in the absence of Zeeshan Rehman, who missed the show because of his club’s commitment.
Yemen looked a much better side than Pakistan who had a bunch of professional players including Danish defender Nabeel Aslam, who made his international debut for the country of his origin.
Abdulwasea AL Matari put hosts Yemen ahead in the third minute after Pakistan’s keeper Muzammil Hussain saved a penalty from Ahmed Al-Haifi.
In the 12th minute Yemen could have doubled their lead but their striker’s drive went off the target.
Moments later Hassan’s dash from distance also went off.
In the 19th minute Pakistani gloveman Muzamil smartly grabbed a superb drive from a striker.
Pakistan’s Kyrgyzstan-based striker Kaleemullah could have levelled the scores in the 29th minute, but his shot went over the bar. In the 31st minute, Pakistan squandered an easy chance when Denmark-based striker Mohammad Ali’s drive in the goalmouth went straight to Yemen’s keeper who held it between his legs.
In the 32nd minute, Yemen were lucky not to concede a goal when Hassan’s kick hit their defender on the back before it went into the air to be held by their keeper.
In the 38th minute, Pakistan replaced Mohammad Ahmed by sending in Mehmood Khan.
In the subsequent few minutes, Saddam Hussain and Mehmood Khan made efforts to score but failed to bring any respite for Pakistan.
At half time, Yemen were leading 1-0.
Yemen played even better in the second half, putting the visitors under a lot of pressure.
In the 57th minute, Mohammed Boqshan doubled Yemen’s lead through an amazing header on a corner-kick.
Pakistan were awarded a penalty in the 67th minute and Hassan’s hit from the spot crashed the top left corner, enabling his side to reduce the deficit. But two minutes later, Ala Al Sasi inflated Yemen’s lead when his drive on free-kick from just outside the area went into the net.
Near the end, Pakistan made desperate efforts to reduce the deficit but failed.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan were without their goalkeeping coach Zahid Taj, who is in Bahrain for a course.
The two teams will now meet in the second leg at Lahore on March 17. Pakistan must beat Yemen 4-1 to move ahead.
Mohammad Abu Loum of Jordon supervised the match. Ahmad Alroalle and Yousef Jararwah served as the assistants. Jasem Ahmad was the fourth official and TU Xiliang the match commissioner.
In other matches, Bhutan inflicted an upset 1-0 defeat on Sri Lanka at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Timor-Leste crushed Mongolia 4-1. Cambodia whipped Macau 3-0 at their home ground.
Brunei Daraussalam defeated Chinese Taipei 1-0 at the latter’s backyards.
India edged Nepal 2-0 at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati.