Tajikistan thump Pakistan 3-0 in FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

DUSHANBE: Tajikistan handed Pakistan a thumping 3-0 defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers at the Central Republican Stadium here on Tuesday.

Mabateshoev Shervoni opened the scoring for Tajikistan in the 35th minute, while Safarov Manuchehr doubled the lead in the 65th minute after a dominant performance in the second half.

Vahdat Hanonov also got his name in the scoresheet six minutes later, further extending the lead for the home side.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan recently succumbed to a 3-0 defeat against Saudi Arabia at Jinnah International Stadium in Islamabad.

Pakistan are at the bottom of Group G of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers as they ended up on the losing side in all five matches played thus far.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For the unversed, the Pakistan men’s football team reached Dushanbe on Tuesday afternoon, just a few hours before the match against Tajikistan.

According to the details, a bunch of players and support staff departed for Tajikistan following the national team’s home leg of FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers against Saudi Arabia.

However, some of the players were left behind as their flight to Faisalabad was cancelled twice, pertaining to a bird strike and technical issues.

Then arrangements were made for a chartered flight but it was also cancelled due to technical issues.

The cancellation of the flights had put Pakistan’s participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match against Tajikistan in limbo until Pakistan Air Force came to the rescue and flew the remaining players from Nur Khan Air Base in the morning to Dushanbe.

READ: Erik ten Hag to remain as Manchester United boss: reports