Overview
- Pakistan took the lead through Mohibullah Afridi in the 31st minute but lost 4-2 to Vietnam on Friday after conceding four second-half goals.
- Vietnam turned the match around with strikes by Long Hai Nguyen, Duc Hoang Nguyen, Bac Dinh Nguyen and a late finish from Hoang Minh Williams to complete the comeback.
- The loss left Pakistan bottom of Division I Group B with one point, while Vietnam finished second behind Thailand and the Philippines placed third.
- Coach Nolberto Solano blamed a drop in intensity, fitness and defensive shape after the interval and said the team will focus on physical preparation ahead of matches in Bangladesh.
- Pakistan’s maiden FIFA campaign showed promise in the first half and offered a benchmark for development by exposing conditioning limits, tactical gaps and the need for more high-level matches.