Sports Reporter – DAWN
KARACHI, July 22: Pakistan put themselves in a spot of bother at the SAFF U-16 Championships after wasting a number of chances in their goalless draw against Bhutan in Kathmandu on Monday.
Following their 0-0 draw against Afghanistan in their group ‘A’ opener, the defending champions find themselves in a rather uncomfortable position and now need to win their final group fixture against Nepal on Wednesday to advance to the semi-finals.
Nepal, who played out a 1-1 draw with Afghanistan in the other group ‘A’ match on Monday, lead the group with four points, two ahead of both Pakistan and Afghanistan with Bhutan rock-bottom with a solitary point.
Pakistan enjoyed a handful of chances in the second-half when they put Bhutan — who were thumped 7-0 in their opening tie by Nepal — under intense pressure, according to the information made available here.
But Bhutan showed more resilience at the Army Stadium than in their previous match as they held out for a draw, having had some decent chances in the first-half.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan took the lead at the Dasarath Rangala Stadim through Amir Mansory in the 74th minute but Nepal earned a share of the spoils when Hemant Thapa Magar scored the equaliser seven minutes later.