Pakistan kept their semifinal hopes alive after a convincing 3-0 victory over Bhutan in the SAFF Suzuki Cup Football Championship in the Group A match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

With the win Pakistan took their tally to six with a goal difference of +3 (scoring 5 and conceding 2). Their fate will be decided after the last match of the group between Bangladesh and Nepal who has six and three points respectively.

Pakistan reasonably, began the game with offensive attitude just coming out from their defensive strategy they played against Nepal and Bangladesh in their two matches, as they were on a must win situation to remain strongly in the race.

Pakistan with their target to win began pressing high from the beginning of the match, making trouble for the Bhutanese defenders and went closer to lead inside 10 minutes when a powerful header from skipper Saddam Hossain was punched by Bhutan’s goalkeeper for a corner.

However, first goal for Pakistan was a result of strong move through the right side with Mohammad Riaz, who rushed down the left flank, switched on right very quick in the process over-committed to blast a Saddam Hossain’s cross from the near post (1-0).

Pakistan kept the pressure and opened another chance to double the lead but just two minutes later Hassan Bashir’s effort denied by the cross piece . Muhammad Ali, who scored one goal off their 2-1 win against Nepal in their opening game, ran to the right flank and cut the ball back to Hassan Bashir whose angular effort shattered the side post. Bhutan could have equalised after few minute but their star striker Chencho Gyaltsen disappointed when he misused the chance by taking an aimless shot from top of the box.

Bhutan paid its cost failing to level the margin, when Hassan Basher extended the tally for Pakistan, the striker was unmarked near to the box and Muhammed Ali set him with a pinpointed lob and Hassan just shot past the onrushing Bhutanese custodian Ngawang Jumphel (2-0) on 40th.

Pakistan were closer to have the third one just a minute later of second goal but this time cross piece denied again when a side volley of Riaz was returned to play. Pakistan finally made the tally 3-0 in the second minute of the stoppage time and this time substitute Faheem Ahmed with pushing the ball into near post having a through pass from Muhammad Ali.