Dir-born Safiullah Khan, who returned to international arena after a lapse of three years, struck four times, as Pakistan whipped past Brunei Darussalam 6-0 in their second match of AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers (Group-D) on Monday at Sugathadasa Stadium in Sri Lankan capital of Colombo.
It was Pakistans first win under Austrian Coach after three straight draws. There will be no match on Tuesday and event will resume when Pakistan will take on host Sri Lanka (3.30 PM PST) and Brunei Darussalam will oppose Chinese Taipei (6 PM PST). Safiullah, a player without any organisation of Pakistan, celebrated his 30th birthday last month, gave no room to Brunei and struck with ease as Pakistan earned commanding win for the second year running.
They outplayed Guam 9-2 in the same event last year, says a message received here on Monday. Essa-led Pakistan played offensively from the start; fervently attacking while their opponents looked dangerous mostly on quick breaks. Pakistan took the lead when SafiUllah faked his way in for a dazzling 19th minute goal. Chaman-born Jadeed Khan, who made international debut last year, doubled the lead in the 30th minute when he dashed through the middle to do the needful. Pakistan led 2-0 at interval and added four more exciting in the second session.
Pakistan continued with relentless forays and, in the process of unsettling the Brunei defence, broke through again in the 61st minute with Safi steering the ball past Brunei keeper from handshake distance and it was all over for Brunei when six minutes later Safi hammered his third to register well-earned hat-trick. Safi, who made international debut four years ago during Indo-Pak Series, added another giving more pain to Bruneis coach Mohd All Muftafa. He latched onto Adnan Faoorq s thorough pass to make it 5-0 in the 71st minute. The winners of four qualifying groups and the best runners-up will join holders India, Tajikistan and North Korea in the eight-team finals from 28 July - 8 August next year.