Pakistan U17 beat Sri Lanka 3-1 in their opening match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers at the New Laos National Stadium in Vientiane on Sunday, coming from behind to win.
Muhammad Hammad scored with an acrobatic scissors kick to level the match early in the second half. Muhammad Moosa and Hazrat Abbas then added two more goals to complete the turnaround and hand Pakistan three points from their first Group D match.
The win gives Pakistan a strong start to a campaign that continues against Iran on November 11. Jordan beat hosts Laos 2-0 in the group’s other opening match on Sunday.
Sri Lanka strike first against the run of play
Pakistan controlled the early exchanges and created the better chances. Hazrat Abbas twice tested Sri Lanka goalkeeper Imadh Mohamed Shareeq, first with a low effort and then with a chip when clean through on goal.
Captain Abdul Samad saw a well-directed header saved, and Muhammad Rafay fired an effort over the bar. Sri Lanka held firm at the back, then scored on the counter. Ndarsha Denuvan broke through after a lapse in the Pakistan defence and put his side ahead.
Pakistan kept pressing, and Rafay tested Shareeq again before the break. Sri Lanka held their narrow lead to half-time, even though Pakistan had made most of the running.
Hammad’s scissors kick turns the game
Coach Mohammad Habib changed things at the break and sent on Muhammad Moosa. The substitute made an instant impact and forced a one-handed save from Shareeq.
The pressure brought a run of corners, and with Sri Lanka unable to clear, Hammad met the loose ball with a scissors kick and levelled the scores.
The goal lifted Pakistan, and the team kept the ball in Sri Lanka’s half. Moosa then broke down the right and finished well to put Pakistan ahead for the first time.
Moosa and Abbas seal the win
Abbas completed the scoring with a header from a cross from the left, and Pakistan led 3-1. A fourth goal late on did not stand, with Moosa’s effort ruled out for offside.
The 3-1 scoreline stood, and Pakistan closed out a win that had looked far from certain at half-time. The second-half display showed the value of Habib’s half-time change, with Moosa scoring the second and forcing the save that led to the equaliser.
Pakistan U17 beat Sri Lanka 3-1: what it means for Group D
Pakistan sit in Group D with Iran, Jordan, Laos and Sri Lanka. The group matches are played in a centralised format in Vientiane, with Laos as hosts.
Jordan’s 2-0 win over Laos leaves Pakistan and Jordan level on three points after the first round of matches. Only the seven group winners advance to the finals in Uzbekistan in May 2027, so Pakistan must top Group D to reach the tournament — every point counts in a short group campaign.
Pakistan next face Iran on November 11, and their remaining group matches are against Jordan and hosts Laos. The squad arrived in Laos after a build-up that included the National Under-17 Championship at home, from which the players were picked.
Feature Pakistan reported on November 4 that the PFF had named a 23-player squad for the qualifiers. The win over Sri Lanka is the first return on that preparation, and the Iran match will be a sterner test of where this young side stands.
A good weekend for Pakistan’s young teams
The result capped a strong weekend for Pakistan’s young teams. On the same day, the under-19 cricket team beat India in the Asia Cup after Hamza Zahoor’s unbeaten century. The senior football team also beat Maldives 3-0 in the SAFF Championship this weekend.
For Pakistan football, the youth result matters on its own terms. The country has rarely made an impact at age-group level in Asia, and a winning start in a qualifying group that includes Iran gives this squad something real to build on. The next step is to carry the second-half form from Vientiane into the Iran match, where a point would keep Pakistan firmly in the race for the finals.
Readers who follow Pakistan’s road in world football can read our explainer on whether Pakistan can qualify for the FIFA World Cup. The AFC has published its official report on the Group D openers.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in Pakistan vs Sri Lanka U17?
Pakistan won 3-1 in their Group D opener of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers at the New Laos National Stadium in Vientiane on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Who scored for Pakistan against Sri Lanka?
Muhammad Hammad scored the equaliser with a scissors kick early in the second half. Muhammad Moosa put Pakistan ahead, and Hazrat Abbas headed in the third. Ndarsha Denuvan scored for Sri Lanka.
Where was the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka U17 match played?
The match was played at the New Laos National Stadium in Vientiane, Laos. The Group D matches are held in a centralised format in Vientiane, with Laos as hosts.
Who do Pakistan play next in the AFC U17 qualifiers?
Pakistan next face Iran on November 11. Their Group D also includes Jordan and hosts Laos. Jordan beat Laos 2-0 in the group’s other opening match.
How do teams qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027?
Only the seven group winners reach the finals in Uzbekistan in May 2027, joining nine teams that qualified automatically.
