game against a better side,” Essa said.
“The team was formed in a short time. The result of the first leg was also not bad. It must have boosted the morale of the boys and they will perform better in the SAFF Cup,” Essa said.
In the first half, both sides played an attacking game with Yemen looking a little better.
In the third minute, Pakistan were lucky not to concede a goal when a Yemen striker cut in from the left flank but failed to steer it in. In the 10th minute, Yemen got a free-kick but a drive from their player went off the target.
In the 15th minute, Pakistan came close to strike but Mansoor Khan’s pile-driver from distance was splendidly gloved over the bar by Yemen’s keeper.
In the 19th minute, Pakistan’s young midfielder Mohammad Riaz sprinted past the defence but failed to beat the keeper.
Pakistan put a lot of pressure at this stage. In the 25th minute, Hassan Bashir could have put the hosts ahead but his shot on a free-kick rebound went off the target.
In the 28th minute, Pakistan survived a scare when Muzammil smartly gathered a super drive.
At the beginning of the second half, Pakistan replaced Muzammil and sent in Bannu-born Saqib Hanif who made a classic save in the 58th minute.
In the 64th minute, Pakistan could have drawn the blood but their striker’s drive crashed the post. In the 75th minute, Saddam Hussain’s strike missed the bar.
In the 83rd minute, Pakistan boosted their frontline by sending in Mohammad Ali in place of Mohammad Ahmad, but to no avail.
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