Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Faisal Saleh Hayat has congratulated Pakistan Wapda football team for their stubborn, committed and high-spirited display in Group-A of 5th AFC President's Cup Qualifier 2009. Undefeated Pakistan Wapda put up heroic fight back when they came from behind to thrash Taiwan Power Company 3-1 in the final Group-A game on Monday for a deadlock of five points with holders Regar TadAZ (Tajikistan).
However, luckless Wapda saw the issue clinching in favour of Tajiks, as they had notched up five goals in all their group matches as compared to three by Lahore-based team. "To hold powerful holders Regar, host Nepal Police Club and beating nippy Taiwanese, all three teams having several top-professionals, is not mere achievement as all these teams have a fantastic history in football.
It shows that our footballers have courage, exuberant and stamina. Wapda's display was applauded by Nepalese at Dashrath stadia too. They played superbly with a team of experience and youth," said Faisal.
Turkmenistan's Ashgabat were the first team to qualify after topping Group B on 16th May at Dhaka's Bangabandhu National Stadium, followed by Regar on Monday. The three group toppers and the best runners-up team from among the three pools qualify for the semi-finals. The six matches in Group-C will be played at Bishkek's Spartak Stadium, Kyrgyzstan from 10th-14th June having Kanbawza - Myanmar, Phnom Penh Crown FC - Cambodia, Dordoi-Dynamo - Kyrgyzstan and Yeedzin FC - Bhutan.