Sports Bulletin

Colombo (PR): Pakistan made a winning start to their SAFF U17 Championship 2025 campaign in Sri Lanka, securing a convincing 4-0 victory over Bhutan.Mohammad Abdullah was the star of the match, scoring a brilliant hat-trick. He opened the scoring in the 15th minute before doubling the lead in the 25th minute. Hamza Yasir extended Pakistan’s advantage with a goal in the 67th minute, while Muhammad Abdullah completed his hat-trick just three minutes later in the 70th minute.Pakistan will now face Maldives in their second group match on 19 September 2025 at 2:30 PM Pakistan Standard Time.

Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): New Al Kholood Head Coach Des Buckingham is a well-travelled man. Now coaching in his fifth country since taking up the role earlier this summer, the Englishman is settling into life in the Rosh Saudi League after spells in New Zealand, Australia and India, where he made history with Mumbai City, winning the Indian Super League and breaking records in the process.His home-town club Oxford United came calling next. A whirlwind return saw Buckingham take the side back to the EFL Championship for the first time in 25 years, writing his name in club folklore along the way.Appointed earlier this summer by Al Kholood’s new owners, the Harburg Group, Buckingham will lead the first foreign-owned club in RSL history. Now settling into life in Ar Rass, Buckingham is relishing the prospect of facing some of the best players and coaches in the world throughout the season ahead.he said: “I look at the managers that are in the league this year. We've got Inzaghi, Lauren Blanc, Jorge Jesus… then you look at some of the players we know, the obvious one is Ronaldo, but you have Mane, Benzema. You've got Nunez, Coman, Neves, so in terms of the quality that it attracts and will continue to attract, it's an exciting place to be right now. I think there's teams here now that have got a forward line that in the Premier League wouldn't go a miss. You know, they all pose their own challenges, but that's the exciting part for me as a Head Coach. I want to challenge myself in the highest place I can in terms of coaches and managers and this league certainly will give me the opportunity to do that.”On the opportunity to coach in Saudi Arabia, Buckingham continued: “The Saudi Pro League is seen as the largest or the biggest competition in Asia. We've done our Champions league campaign with Mumbai for five weeks whilst in Riyadh. So I've been to the country before and it is football mad. And of course you've got 2034 for the World Cup. So it is a very football-mad country. So even walking around the remote regions like we are here in Ar Rass everybody is a football fan.”Reflecting on the challenge of working overseas, Buckingham said: “I love what working overseas allows you to learn. About not just yourself, but about football and about life. I think there's so many things, whether it be cultural, whether it be religion, whether it be football, that I'd like to think, in this fourth [overseas] country now, that will make me not just a better coach, but will make me a better person.”

Sports Bulletin ReportIslamabad - The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced the national U23 squad for AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Saudi Arabia Qualifiers to be held in Cambodia. Under the guidance of Head Coach Nolberto Solano, the squad features a mix of talented players ready to compete at the international level.The final travelling squad comprises 23 players.Goalkeeper: Adam Najeeb, Hassan Ali, Umair AroojForwards: Mckeal Abdullah, Umair Bahader, Furqan Umer, Ali Raza, Suleman Ali, Adeel YounasMidfielder: Tufail Khan, Hayyaan Khattak, Muhammad Junaid, Ali Zafar, Adnan JustinDefenders: Haseeb Khan, Mohib Ullah, Muhammad Adeel, Ans Amin, Mohammad Haroon, Hamza Munir, Ahmed Salman, Junaid Shah, Abdul Rehman

Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has announced the fixture list for the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League (RSL), and it promises to be a blockbuster start to what is shaping up to be the league’s most competitive season yet. The new campaign kicks off on Thursday, August 28, and the opening rounds will deliver instant drama, marquee matchups, and fresh storylines across Saudi football.Which are the standout matches in the opening round?Matchday 1 sees reigning champions Al Ittihad begin their title defence away to Al Okhdood, while Cristiano Ronaldo – fresh from signing his new contract – and Al Nassr also hit the road to take on Al Taawoun, one of last season’s surprise packages. Following their superb run to the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals, Al Hilal start their campaign with a city derby clash against Al Riyadh.Arguably the match of the round takes place in Jeddah, where AFC Champions League winners Al Ahli host promoted Neom, who dominated the Saudi First Division last season. Neom have since bolstered their squad with the signings of former Arsenal captain Alexandre Lacazette, goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, and highly-rated midfield youngster Amadou Koné as manager Christophe Galtier aims to establish the Tabuk-based club in the top tier.Fast start in store for ‘Big Four’In a clear demonstration of the depth of quality in the RSL, there is no easing into the season for last year’s top three and Asian champions Al Ahli.Al Hilal immediately follow their opening match with a home clash against Al Qadsiah, last season’s fourth-place finishers and King’s Cup finalists, before travelling to Jeddah to take on Al Ahli on Matchday 3. Three rounds later, Al Hilal are back in Jeddah for the first Clasico against rivals Al Ittihad, meaning the Riyadh giants face several early-season tests that could be pivotal to the rest of their campaign.Following their opening trip to Al Taawoun, Al Nassr’s early schedule also includes a massive visit to Jeddah to play Al Ittihad on Matchday 4, followed by a home clash with Neom on Matchday 8. A challenging winter stretch between Matchdays 13 and 16 sees Jorge Jesus’ side face Al Ahli (A), Al Qadsiah (H), Al Hilal (A) in the Capital Derby, and Al Shabab (H).Al Ittihad’s start away to Al Okhdood is followed by home matches against Al Fateh and Al Nassr, either side of a trip to promoted Al Najma, before the blockbuster showdown with Al Hilal in Jeddah on Matchday 6. Their final game of the season will be a rematch of last season’s Kings Cup final in Jeddah against Al Qadsiah, whom they defeated to clinch the domestic double.After welcoming Neom on the opening day, Al Ahli clash with Al Hilal (H) on Matchday 3 and take on Al Ittihad (A) in the Sea Derby on Matchday 8. The reverse derby match is scheduled for Matchday 25.Derby days to mark on the calendarAl Hilal vs Al Nassr (Capital Derby): Matchday 15 (Al Hilal home) and Matchday 32 (Al Nassr home)Al Ittihad vs Al Ahli (Sea Derby): Matchday 8 (Al Ittihad home) and Matchday 25 (Al Ahli home)Al Qadsiah vs Al Ettifaq (Eastern Province derby): Matchday 9 (Al Qadsiah home) and Matchday 26 (Al Ettifaq home)Al Hilal vs Al Ittihad (Saudi Clasico): Matchday 6 (Al Ittihad home) and Matchday 23 (Al Hilal home)Surprise packages and record chasers:Beyond the usual title contenders, there will be many storylines to follow throughout the season as the drama unfolds. Among these could be Al Taawoun following an excellent 2024-25 season when they reached the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League 2 and placed eighth in the RSL.Péricles Chamusca, who was Al Taawoun manager between 2022 and 2024, is back in the dugout having steered Neom to promotion, and with a kind-looking early fixture list – Al Nassr are the only opponents in their first five games to finish in last season’s top six – Al Taawoun have an opportunity to build some early momentum before the first international break.Al Shabab start their season with four of their first six matches at home in Riyadh, which could provide a springboard for Abderrazak Hamdallah to make some monumental history. The Moroccan striker is just five goals shy of equalling the RSL’s all-time scoring record – currently held by Omar Al Somah with 155 goals – and a fast start to the campaign could see the prolific forward become the league’s greatest goalscorer.New season set to build on soaring success:The RSL enters the new campaign aiming to build on the league’s remarkable progress in recent years. The 2024-25 season saw a record 183 broadcast partners worldwide while more than 2.5 million fans attended matches throughout the Kingdom. Global interest in Saudi football has also soared, with a 200% increase in international sponsorship revenue.

Lahore (SBR): In a groundbreaking step toward gender equality in sports, the newly elected leadership of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has appointed Arooj Butt as the Team Manager of the Pakistan Men’s U-17 National Team. This historic appointment makes her the first woman in the country’s football history to hold such a key position at both national and international levels.Arooj Butt, who has been actively working with PFF since 2022 as Safeguarding Officer, holds multiple certifications in child safeguarding and welfare from FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF).With this appointment, PFF is sending a strong message: women have a place at every level of the game, from the field to the boardroom.The initiative closely aligns with FIFA’s global objectives, especially its commitment to human rights, anti-discrimination and the inclusion of women in football governance, as outlined in Article 3 of the FIFA Statutes. FIFA’s 2016 reforms also emphasized the importance of women’s full participation in shaping the future of the sport.On the occasion, PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani said: I am proud to see women taking managerial role in the history of Pakistan football. We believe her presence will inspire more women to take up key roles in football.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Women’s football has enjoyed an action-packed two months, with continental competitions causing a shake-up in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking. England retained their European title by seeing off the challenge of Spain, Brazil successfully defended their South American crown, and the Solomon Islands took full advantage of New Zealand’s absence to lay claim to the Oceania throne.World champions Spain (1st, up 1) had an impressive run to the final of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 with five back-to-back wins, which was enough to see them reclaim top spot in the ranking, a position they previously held from December 2023 to June 2024. The USA (2nd, down 1) have therefore been knocked off their perch, which they had occupied since August 2024. However, three convincing home wins in friendlies during this period have kept the Stars and Stripes in contention, and they are now sitting less than two points behind La Roja.The top 10 has been shaken up completely since the June edition of the ranking, with France (6th, up 4) performing best among them. Les Bleues completed a flawless group stage at the European Championship before falling to Germany in the quarter-finals.Brazil (7th, down 3) have lost ground despite picking up their ninth continental trophy. They lost to France prior to the tournament, which subsequently saw the Seleção held to two draws by a hard-working Colombia side in the group stage as well as the in final, before prevailing on penalties.Further down the ranking, the Asian qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ and the OFC Women’s Nations Cup have stirred things up. Bangladesh (104th, up 24) recorded the biggest jump in places and points (+80.51), courtesy of their historic both qualification for the AFC final qualifying tournament for Brazil 2027, following dramatic victories over Myanmar, Bahrain and Turkmenistan.Vanuatu (100th, up 19) have also made considerable progress, as have the Solomon Islands (73rd, up 13), who have hit a new high in the ranking. No fewer than 10 teams are currently higher in the ranking than ever before, including Poland (26th, up 1), Haiti (49th, up 1), and Saudi Arabia (164th, up 1).

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.

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."

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.

Yangon(SBR): The head coach of the Pakistan Men’s National Football Team, Stephen Constantine, addressed the media in a pre-match press conference today, ahead of Pakistan’s crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Myanmar.Opening his remarks, Constantine expressed gratitude to the hosts, stating: "Firstly, thank you very much to the Myanmar Football Association for the hospitality."He acknowledged the tough challenge ahead but maintained confidence in his players' efforts and attitude. "I think for us it will be a very difficult game. For Pakistan, all of the games are difficult. I think everyone knows our situation, but we have a good group of players. They have worked hard over the last few days and we will come here to try to win the game."The coach highlighted the team's focus and adaptability in preparation for the match. "We come here to play football. I think the boys have adapted well to the training. We just have to get on with it. Every single game you play for Pakistan is important – even friendlies."Reflecting on the previous fixture against Syria, Constantine shared: "We prepared, we played with Syria in the last game. We lost 2-0, but I think we played quite well."Responding to a question he said: "Myanmar won their last game, so of course they're playing at home, they will be favourites for this game. But we will fight like we do in every game and we will try to get the result that we want, which is to win. We didn't come here to lose."Pakistan will face Myanmar tomorrow in Yangon in their second Group E fixture of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The match will take place at the Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, with kickoff scheduled for 03:30 PM Pakistan Standard Time.