Pakistan finished the FIFA ASEAN Cup with a hard‑fought 4‑2 loss to Vietnam at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Friday.
Pakistan, coached by Nolberto Solano, was ranked 99 places lower than Vietnam in the FIFA rankings. Pakistan took a lead when Mohibullah scored a brilliant first‑half goal, but Pakistan could not keep up with Vietnam’s second‑half attack.
I watched Long Hai Nguyen, Duc Hoang Nguyen and Bac Dinh Nguyen each score, putting Vietnam ahead 3-1. Later, veteran Kaleemullah Khan pulled one back, making the score 3-2 for Pakistan. Then Hoang Minh Williams scored again, giving Vietnam a two-goal lead in stoppage time.
I noted that the match result placed Vietnam second in Division I Group ‘B’ behind Thailand. The Philippines were third. Pakistan earned only one point from three games in their first FIFA competition.
I remembered that Pakistan had recovered from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with the Philippines in their game. Pakistan needed a win over Vietnam to have a chance of reaching the bronze medal match.
Pakistan dominated the opening half. Deservedly went into the break ahead.
I saw Ali Akbar Khan pair up with Abdul Samad Shahzad in the minutes, but Khan’s shot inside the box was blocked. Then Shayek Dost headed wide in the minute after another promising move through midfield.
Vietnam settled into the game slowly. Yousuf Butt made a save from a shot. Meanwhile Pakistan kept threatening with Ali Akbar and Abdul Samad, who ran along the flanks.
Abdul Samad’s shot was saved. Then Pakistan took the lead in the 31st minute.
Mohibullah pressed a Vietnam centre‑back into a mistake, won the ball and calmly sent the ball under goalkeeper Patrik Giang Le.
Vietnam almost equalised before the break when Hoang Minh Williams fired the ball into the side‑netting.
Solano made substitutions, bringing on Alamgir Ghazi and Umer Nawaz at the start of the half, replacing Ali Agha and Shayek. Vietnam then quickly turned the game around.
Long Hai Nguyen equalised in the minute. Long Hai Nguyen received a through ball down the left, cut inside, and fired past Yousuf.
Seven minutes later, Duc Hoang Nguyen made another attacking move. He struck a cutback time and put Vietnam ahead.
Pakistan responded quickly. Abdul Samad Shahzad tried to score. His effort was blocked. He was then replaced by Abdul Samad Khan. The substitute delivered a cross. From that cross, Umar headed the ball over the goal.
Vietnam extended their lead in the minute. Bac Dinh Nguyen raced onto a ball and fired it past Yousuf. The goal gave Vietnam an advantage.
Pakistan refused to give up. They reduced the deficit in the minute. Ali Akbar’s shot went through a crowd of players. Kaleemullah was there to apply the touch.
The comeback hopes were short-lived. Bac Dinh set up Williams. Williams scored Vietnam’s goal. That goal settled the contest.
