Pakistan arrives in Kuwait for AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Afghanistan | The Express Tribune

The Pakistan national football team arrived in Kuwait to face Afghanistan in the away leg of their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifier, as the side looks to secure their first victory of the campaign under head coach Nolberto Solano.

The squad flew from Islamabad on a private airline to Ardiya and will take on Afghanistan on October 14 at the Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium in Ardiya, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 pm Pakistan time. Both teams are part of Group E, which also includes Myanmar and Syria.

Pakistan come into the match after earning a goalless draw against Afghanistan in Islamabad last week, a result that ended an eight-match losing streak. In front of over 7,000 spectators at Jinnah Stadium, Otis Khan missed a crucial second-half penalty that could have secured Pakistan’s first win in the qualifiers.

Earlier in the campaign, Pakistan suffered defeats against Syria and Myanmar, losing 2-0 and 1-0 respectively. Despite a challenging start, the team showed defensive resilience in their last outing, offering signs of improvement under Solano’s guidance.

With confidence restored and a point on the board, Pakistan will aim to build momentum in Kuwait as they continue their bid to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.