Although Pakistan socca football team failed to make its presence felt in the recently concluded International Socca Federation (ISF) World Cup in Lisbon, but the team from South Asia impressed the jury and received 'Fair Play' award in the inaugural tournament. Pakistan was placed in Group 'B' along with world-class football playing nations of Europe - Spain, Russia and Moldova. Pakistan lost all of its group matches but the team won the hearts of the jury, who decided to award Team Pakistan with 'Fair Play' trophy.
Meanwhile, Germany overpowered Poland in the summit clash of the tournament by a 1-0 score to claim the title of the first ever World Cup of small-sided football. "The exciting tournament has been highly successful and world will see more such tournaments happening throughout the globe," ISF Vice President Shahzaib Trunkwala said. He congratulated Germany for winning the inaugural tournament and also praised Poland for their brilliant show and reaching the summit clash of the tournament.
Meanwhile, he also praised Pakistan team for claiming the 'Fair Play' award despite the country lacks football infrastructure as compared to European nations. "Winning a 'Fair Play' award by a country like Pakistan in the tournament where several European nations have also been playing is highly laudable. I hope Pakistan continues to play well and also win matches in future," Trunkwala added.
Pakistan socca team coach Tariq Lutfi said that it had been a learning experience for the team and it would come better prepared in the next edition and would put stronger show then. "Pressure of international games is different than playing at home and only results can't be used to judge the standard of a team alone. The side would perform better in international events to come as they have now gained the experience of playing abroad," he said.
As compared with neighboring India, which is ranked 102 places above Pakistan in the FIFA rankings, Pakistan completed the group matches with a negative 16 goal difference while India has a negative goal difference of 24 goals. Egypt, which is ranked 64th in the international circuit, ended the group matches with a goal difference of 25 goals.