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Pakistan Stuns Indonesia 2-0 in AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers

On This Day

Jul 4, 2025 · Author: Uzma

Pakistan Stuns Indonesia 2-0 in AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers
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Pakistan’s women’s football team delivered a historic and inspiring performance on July 2, 2025, defeating host nation Indonesia 2–0 in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers. The match, held in Tangerang, marked a significant achievement for Pakistan, who entered the game as underdogs but walked away with a well-earned and morale-boosting victory. From the outset, Pakistan displayed determination and confidence. In just the 8th minute of play, forward Nadia Khan struck a brilliant goal to give her side the lead. This was her fifth international goal and it gave Pakistan an early advantage, unsettling the Indonesian defence. Only ten minutes later, Suha Hirani doubled the lead with a composed penalty conversion in the 18th minute, making it 2–0 for Pakistan before the midway point of the first half. Despite Indonesia having the lion’s share of possession—over 60%—and firing 20 shots (eight on target), Pakistan’s defensive unit remained disciplined and focused. Goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj was a standout performer, producing a series of crucial saves to maintain a clean sheet. The defensive backline, guided by captain Maria Khan, stood firm under relentless pressure and ensured Indonesia could not break through. This win is especially significant considering Pakistan is ranked 157th in the FIFA rankings, while Indonesia stands at 95th. Overcoming such a large gap in rankings underlines the progress the Pakistani women’s team has made in recent years, especially since their return to international competition after a long hiatus caused by internal federation issues and a previous FIFA suspension. On social media, the Pakistan Football Federation hailed the victory as a landmark moment for the country’s women’s football. “Power, passion, and purpose on full display,” they posted, reflecting the national pride in this achievement. Analysts and fans alike have called this one of the most important victories in Pakistan women’s football history. The win also provided Pakistan with their first points in the group and lifted them above Indonesia to second place in Group D, only behind leaders Chinese Taipei. Pakistan had earlier suffered a heavy 8–0 defeat to Chinese Taipei, but the victory over Indonesia restored confidence and opened new possibilities for the final group fixture. Looking ahead, Pakistan’s final group match against Kyrgyzstan on July 5 will be critical. A win could potentially boost Pakistan’s chances of advancing in the competition and would serve as further proof of the team’s steady development and growing competitiveness on the Asian stage. This result is more than just a victory on the pitch—it’s a symbol of the resilience, talent, and potential of Pakistani women in sports. As the country continues to invest in women’s football, this landmark performance could inspire a new generation of players and fans across Pakistan.
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