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FOOTBALL - FIFA News 23 Jul, 2025

Match officials appointed for FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The FIFA Referees Committee has announced the match officials who will oversee games at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™, which will take place from 27 September to 19 October. A total of 54 match officials (18 referees and 36 assistant referees) from 22 FIFA Member Associations are set to take charge of the matches.“Following the success of the FIFA Club World Cup, we look forward to another exciting tournament, for which we have once again appointed a very strong Team One line-up. From a refereeing perspective, it’s very important that the officials have the opportunity to be involved at a tournament featuring the stars of tomorrow and for us to carry out further testing of Football Video Support (FVS), which has been a great success so far,” said the Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina.The use of Football Video Support (FVS) at the tournament follows on from the trials implemented last year at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ in Colombia and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ in the Dominican Republic.The FVS trials followed numerous requests from member associations for an alternative, cost-effective way of using technology to support match officials. Unlike the video assistant referee (VAR) system, FVS does not use dedicated video match officials and therefore does not check all match-changing incidents. Instead, the onus falls on the respective head coaches, who are allowed to make a limited number of review requests per game when they feel that a clear and obvious error has been made in match-changing incidents, such as goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents or cases of mistaken identity. The players can also recommend that their coaches request a review.“Chile is a football-loving country, and we have an excellent opportunity to ensure that this year’s edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup leaves a legacy on a refereeing level. The (FIFA) U-20 World Cup is a highly competitive tournament that requires officials to have a sound reading of the game,” noted FIFA Director of Refereeing Massimo Busacca.

FOOTBALL - National 22 Jul, 2025

All Pakistan Chief Minister Balochistan Gold Cup League 2025

Pakistan Education Board, Punjab University, Baloch Club Nushki, and Dostan Atish Club Tank move into next roundAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Pakistan Education Board, Punjab University, Baloch Club Nushki, and Dostan Atish Club Tank have moved into the next round of the ongoing First Chief Minister Balochistan Gold Cup League Football Tournament 2025 after beating their respective opponents at different football grounds on Tuesday.According to a press release from the organizing committee of the Sports Department of Balochistan, in the first match of the day, the Pakistan Education Board (PEB) defeated Balochistan 4-1 at Ayub Stadium, Quetta. Abbas scored 3 goals for Pakistan Education Board while Ibrahim and Abdul Wahab netted the ball each one time. Zabrin scored the solitary goal for Balochistan. Pakistan Education Board earned 3 valuable points and qualified for the next round.The special guest of this match was Secretary Sports of the Balochistan Sports Department Yasir Bazai, who was introduced to the players of both teams. Abdul Raziq was the referee and was assisted by Faisal Khan and Mohammad Mohammad Akram performed the duties of the Match Commissioner.The second match of the day was played between Punjab University and Anti-Corruption. In the first half, Punjab University was leading 2-o goal. In the second half of the game, neither team was able to score more goals. Punjab University team won this match by 2-0 and added 3 valuable points, and qualified for the next round.At Yar Mohammad Khan Barich Railway Football Ground, Baloch Club Noshki overcame Afghan Academy Quetta 2-1 in a well-contested 90-minute competition in the penultimate match of the day. The players of both teams played well. Baloch Club Noshki won the match with a margin of one goal and got 3 valuable points to qualify for the next round.In the last fixture of the day, Dostan Atish Club Tank thrashed Madhu Mohammadan Club Karachi 4-2 at Qayyum Papa Stadium. The players of Dostan Atish Club Tank played aggressively and scored 4 goals against the opposing team while Madhu Mohammadan scored 2 goals. Dostan Atish Club Tank won the match by 4-2 goals and added 3 valuable points to reach in the next round.

FOOTBALL - Int News 22 Jul, 2025

PFF appoints Nolberto Solano as Head Coach, Jorge Castañeira as Associate Fitness Coach

Lahore (PR): Under the leadership of President Syed Mohsen Gilani, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has made two major international appointments that signal a bold new chapter for Pakistan football.Nolberto Solano, legendary Peruvian international and former Premier League star, has officially been appointed as the Head Coach of Senior Men’s National and U23 Team. Solano brings a wealth of global experience, having played for top clubs including Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Boca Juniors, and earned 95 caps for Peru. As a coach, he was part of Peru’s historic qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and their runner-up finish at the 2019 Copa América.Joining him is Jorge Castañeira, a globally respected performance and fitness coach, who will serve as Associate Fitness Coach for the Senior Men’s National Team. With over 30 years of elite-level experience, Jorge has worked across continents with top national teams and clubs.Sharing his views, the President PFF Syed Mohsen Gilani said: “Nolberto Solano is a big name in world football while Jorge Castañeira brings top-level fitness training to our team. Together, they will help us build a strong and professional future for football in our country.”With Solano and Castañeira joining us, we will give our players better facilities”, he added.

FOOTBALL - National 19 Jul, 2025

All Pakistan Chief Minister Balochistan Gold Cup: Wazir FC and Islamabad claim wins

Sports Bulletin ReportQuetta: The first match of the fifth All Pakistan Chief Minister Balochistan Gold Cup Football Tournament at Ayub Stadium was played between the Wazir Club Wana and Real Huda Quetta that Wazir Club Wana won by one goal to zero and earned 3 valuable points. The second match was played between Pakistan Police and Hazara Academy Quetta. Pakistan Police won this match by 3 goals to 2 and got 3 valuable points. At Yar Mohammad Khan Barich Railway Football Ground- the first match of the series was played between Lyari Tigers Club Karachi and Youth Afghan Club Chaman. Lyari Tigers Club Karachi won this match by 3 goals to 0 and got 3 valuable points. The second match was played between Popo Football Club and DFA. The match was tied 2-2 between the two teams. In case of a tie, both teams got one point each. The first match of the series at Sadiq Shaheed Ground (Mali Bagh) was played between Khyber Afghan Zhob and DFA Chaman. The match was tied without any goals. And in case of a tie, one point was earned each. The second match was played between the teams of DFA Kharan and Sindh Government Press Karachi. In the first half of the game, DFA Kharan scored 3 goals while Sindh Government Press scored one goal. In the second half, DFA Kharan scored another and won the match 4-1. DFA Kharan won this match by 4 goals to 1 and earned 3 valuable points. The first match of the series at Qayyum Papa Stadium was played between the teams of Ismail Memorial Karachi and Youth Afghan Quetta. Which proved to be one-sided. And Ismail Memorial Karachi won this match by 6 goals to 0 and earned 3 points. The second match was played between the teams of Gwadar Port Authority and DFA Loralai. Gwadar Port Authority won this match by 2 goals in one match and got 3 valuable points. At IT University- the first match was played between the teams of Islamabad vs DFA Hub. Islamabad won this match by 2 goals in one match and got 3 valuable points. The second was played between the teams of Kashmir vs Afghan Academy. Afghan Academy Quetta won this match by 2 goals in one match and got 3 valuable points.

FOOTBALL - National 18 Jul, 2025

PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani vows to revive football in Pakistan

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: President, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Syed Mohsen Gilani vowed to revive the game of football in the country, and the federation would set a roadmap to achieve the goal of promoting football in Pakistan.While addressing a press conference at the Football House in Lahore, accompanied by PFF Vice President Hafiz Zakaullah and Executive Committee Member from Punjab, Raja Amer Khan, he announced a bold roadmap to bring Pakistan football back on track, with clear plans to restore, develop, and uplift the sport across the country. He shared that he recently met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who expressed satisfaction with the way the PFF elections were conducted.The PFF President stated that the new leadership is determined to take steps that can benefit football development. He stressed that Pakistan football is no longer in a stagnant phase and will now move ahead at a fast pace.The revival of FIFA Development Programs in Pakistan is among the federation’s top priorities. Two key FIFA initiatives will soon be implemented. The first is the FIFA Arena Program, for which an agreement has already been signed with FIFA. Under this program, modern mini-pitches will be constructed, starting with two pilot projects. Schools across Pakistan will be encouraged to participate and utilize these facilities.The second major program is Football for Schools in Pakistan. The federation is actively coordinating with the government to implement this program nationwide. Talks are also ongoing with La Liga, which is expected to assist the PFF in reviving the sport through training, infrastructure, and technical support.Responding to media questions, the PFF President clarified that there are currently no complete records of the previous Goal Projects. He emphasized that only the Disciplinary Committees will decide the fate of any banned officials and that no external influence will interfere in those matters.Regarding the Professional League, the President explained that a professional league is the soul of any federation. Work is already in progress to develop a new league system. Although it cannot be launched immediately, the goal is to roll it out as soon as possible, and make it one of the finest in the region.Special focus is also being placed on women’s football. The President highlighted that Pakistan’s women footballers are performing well, and the federation is planning to establish dedicated departments for their development. FIFA has also assured its support in coaching, technical assistance, and broader development for women in football.On the financial side, the PFF is confident that football in Pakistan can be run in a sustainable and business-like manner. The federation plans to generate its own revenue through strategic planning and commercial initiatives.The PFF President also shared that relations with the government are strong. When FIFA President Giani Infantino and AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa visits Pakistan, they are expected to meet with high-level government officials, further strengthening the partnership between the federation and state institutions, he concluded.

FOOTBALL - National 16 Jul, 2025

Pakistan CM Balochistan Football Gold Cup Kicks Off with a Bang

Quetta, (SBR) July 15 - The highly anticipated 5th All Pakistan CM Balochistan Football Gold Cup has finally arrived, and what a spectacle it is! The tournament kicked off with great fanfare at the Ayub Sports Complex Football Ground, with Advisor for Sports, Meena Majeed, formally inaugurating the mega event.The ceremony was attended by esteemed guests, including Provincial Minister for Education, Raheela Durrani, Sardar Rasool Bux, Baba Umrani, Secretary Sports and youth affairs, Durra Baloch, Director General of Sports Dr.Yasir khan Bazai, Assistant director Asif langove, Deputy Director, Asif Farooqi, Kamran Khurshid, and Assistant Director, Muhib Ur Rehman .In her address, Advisor for Sports, Meena Majeed, highlighted the vision of CM Mir Sarfraz Bugti to engage youth in sports and promote a culture of peace and harmony. "This tournament is a testament to our commitment to showcasing the true spirit of Balochistan commitments a land of hospitality, love for sports, and hatred for terrorism," She emphasized.Secretary Sports and Youth affairs, Durra Baloch, reflected the similar sentiments, saying, "Balochistan is a land of passionate football fans, and this tournament is a perfect platform to showcase our love for the beautiful game. We welcome teams from all over Pakistan to participate in this mega event and discover new talent."The tournament will feature 67 teams from across the country, competing in a series of thrilling matches from July 15 to July 31. The final match will be played on July 31, with the winning team taking home a whopping Rs. 25 lac prize. The runner-up will receive Rs. 15 lac, while the third-place team will be awarded Rs. 5 lac.The inaugural match was played between Baloch Football Club Noshki and Afghan Football Club Chaman, which was ended with 1.1 goal setting the tone for an exciting tournament ahead.

FOOTBALL - Int News 05 Jul, 2025

Pakistan women beat Kyrgyzstan to secure second position in AFC Qualifiers

Jakarta(SBR): Pakistan women’s football team concluded their maiden appearance in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers on a high note, defeating Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in their final group match and finishing second among four teams. Despite the impressive win and finishing second in the group, Pakistan could not advance to the next round, with Chinese Taipei securing qualification. In Group standings, Chinese Taipei led the table with a commanding 9 points, having secured victory in all their matches. Pakistan follow in second place with 6 points, showcasing solid performances and winning two out of three games. Indonesia secured third position with 3 points while Kyrgyzstan were at the bottom of the group without a point. In the crucial encounter, star forward Mariam Mahmood emerged as the hero, scoring both goals for Pakistan. She opened the scoring in the 4th minute and calmly converted a penalty in the 26th minute to give her side a 2-0 lead. Though Kyrgyzstan managed to pull one back, the Pakistani defense held firm to secure the victory. President of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Syed Mohsen Gilani, praised the national team for their commendable performance throughout the tournament. "Our national women’s team displayed great character and fighting spirit during their debut campaign at the AFC Qualifiers.” “Despite winning two matches and finishing second, we were unfortunate not to progress to the next round. But this is just the beginning,” said Gilani and added: “With continued support and sincere efforts, I am confident that our team will perform even better in future international events."

FOOTBALL - National 05 Jul, 2025

PFF Official Dr Mohammad Ali commends Syed Mohsen Gilani’s visionary leadership

Lahore (PR): Vice President of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Dr. Muhammad Ali, has praised the progressive and visionary leadership of PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani, as Pakistan’s women’s national team concluded their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign with a historic 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan.Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mohammad Ali said:“We are keen to work tirelessly under the visionary leadership of Syed Mohsen Gilani for the betterment and development of football in Pakistan. His dedication, strategic approach, and passion for the game have already begun to inspire positive change. The recent performance of our women’s team is a testament to the direction we are heading in.” He further emphasized that the new PFF leadership is deeply committed to strengthening football infrastructure, developing grassroots initiatives, and enhancing talent pathways to elevate Pakistan’s presence on the regional and international stage.In a historic outing at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers held in Jakarta, Pakistan finished second in their group after an inspiring 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan. Star forward Mariam Mahmood was the standout performer, scoring twice—once in the 4th minute and then converting a penalty in the 26th minute—to seal the win.Despite the strong finish, Pakistan narrowly missed out on qualification, with Chinese Taipei topping the group with nine points. Pakistan followed with six points, having secured two wins out of three matches. Hosts Indonesia placed third, while Kyrgyzstan ended without a point.Dr. Ali concluded by stating:“This performance by our women’s team reflects the potential and resilience of our players. We are committed to providing them with the resources, training, and international exposure they deserve, as part of a broader vision to transform football in Pakistan.”

FOOTBALL - Int News 26 Jun, 2025

Pakistan squad set to depart for AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers

Sport Bulletin ReportIslamabad: President of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Syed Mohsen Gilani visited the training camp of the Pakistan women’s national football team in Islamabad ahead of their participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers.During his visit, President Gilani interacted with the players and coaching staff, expressing his best wishes and confidence in the team’s performance. He also discussed training progress and preparations with the team.The training camp, led by Head Coach Adeel Rizki, concluded today after several days of preparation. The team is set to depart for Indonesia tonight via a private airline, transiting through Karachi and Bangkok before reaching Jakarta.Pakistan are placed in Group E alongside Chinese Taipei, host nation Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan. The team will play its first group match on June 29 against Chinese Taipei, followed by the second match on July 2 against Indonesia, and the final group game on July 5 against Kyrgyzstan.

FOOTBALL - National 23 Jun, 2025

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers: Pakistan training camp starts

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The national women's football team training camp is in progress in Islamabad ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers. The camp, being held under the supervision of head coach Adeel Rizki, will continue for a few more days.The national team is scheduled to leave for Indonesia on June 26. The team will travel via a private airline, taking the route from Karachi to Bangkok and arriving in Jakarta, Indonesia. Pakistan is placed in Group E alongside Chinese Taipei, hosts Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan.The team will play its opening match on June 29 against Chinese Taipei. The second match will be played on July 2 against host nation Indonesia, while the final group game will be held on July 5 against Kyrgyzstan. All the matches will be played at Sport Center Kelapa Dua Tangerang.