Male, June 4, 2026: Pakistan’s men’s football team secured a memorable 3-0 victory over hosts Maldives in the Diamond Jubilee Four-Nation Football Tournament on Thursday, ending a 961-day wait for an international win and significantly boosting their hopes of reaching the tournament final.
After opening their campaign with a goalless draw against Bangladesh, Pakistan entered the match needing a positive result to remain in contention for a place in the championship decider. Following a tightly contested first half that ended without goals, the visitors delivered an impressive second-half performance to secure all three points.
The breakthrough came in the 54th minute when young forward Umar Nawaz scored his maiden international goal in just his second appearance for Pakistan. The match also marked his first start for the national side, making the achievement even more special.
Umar’s story is one of resilience and determination. His brother, Haris Nawaz, was among those martyred in the tragic Army Public School attack, while another brother, Ahmed Nawaz, survived after sustaining serious injuries. The family later relocated to the United Kingdom, where Umar developed his football career before earning selection to Pakistan’s national team.
Pakistan continued to press for more goals and doubled their lead in the 84th minute through Abdul Samad Arshad. The visitors put the result beyond doubt just three minutes later when Harun Hamid found the net to complete a dominant 3-0 victory.
The triumph was particularly significant as it marked Pakistan’s first international victory over the Maldives since 1991 and ended a lengthy winless streak in international football. Pakistan’s last international win had come against Cambodia in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match on October 17, 2023.
The victory has strengthened Pakistan’s chances of progressing to the final of the four-nation tournament. The national side now has four points from two matches, following the draw against Bangladesh and the win over the Maldives, placing them firmly in the race for a top-two finish.
Pakistan will conclude their league-stage campaign against Afghanistan on June 7. A positive result could secure a place in the tournament final, scheduled to be played on June 10.
The emphatic victory not only revived Pakistan’s title hopes but also provided a major confidence boost for the national team as it seeks to build momentum on the international stage.
