In a surprising turn of events, the Pakistan national football team has shown resilience in the face of recent challenges, resulting in an improvement in their FIFA World rankings. This notable ascent comes despite a string of unfavorable outcomes on the field.
The journey began in June when the national team faced a setback and found themselves outside the top 200 in the FIFA rankings. This demotion was a direct consequence of lackluster performances during the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship.
However, the Men in Green have since managed to reverse their trajectory in the World rankings, elevating their position from 201 to 196. It’s important to note that prior to their SAFF Championship participation, Pakistan held the 195th spot.
The national team’s recent engagements included participation in the four-nation Cup held in Mauritius and their involvement in the highly anticipated SAFF Championship in India. Unfortunately, the results from these tournaments did not paint a rosy picture for Pakistan’s football aspirations.
During the four-nation Cup, Pakistan faced stiff competition and emerged without a victory. Three defeats against teams from Maldives, Mauritius, and Kenya left them grappling with six goals conceded and none scored in response.
The 2023 SAFF Championship witnessed a similar narrative of struggle for the Green Shirts. Their campaign culminated with a disappointing bottom-place finish in Group A, marked by an inability to find the back of the net in three matches and a total of nine goals conceded.
Even with the inclusion of international players such as Otis Khan and Easah Suliman, Pakistan’s quest for improved performance on the international stage encountered hurdles. While the recent rankings improvement may offer a glimmer of hope, it’s evident that the national team faces challenges in translating potential into success on the field.
