Pakistan end FIFA Series with defeat to hosts Ivory Coast

ABIDJAN: Pakistan concluded their FIFA Series campaign with a 2-0 loss to hosts Ivory Coast on Thursday, finishing third in their group after a match that required a goalline clearance, a saved penalty and more than 20 minutes with ten players.

The defeat meant Pakistan ended the tournament with one win, two losses, and a third-place finish in the four-team group.

But given the context — Ivory Coast entered the match having scored 23 goals across their first two games, while Pakistan are ranked 72 places below the hosts — the scoreline reflected a defensive effort that, while ultimately breached twice from corners, avoided the double-digit routs inflicted on others.

Pakistan held Ivory Coast at bay for the first half hour, with the defence marshalled by Kayla Siddiqi and Isra Khan, who reduced the hosts to shots from distance.

Once the Ivorians penetrated the box, goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj stood tall while full-backs Anmol Hira and Karissa Jivraj cut off the crosses.

The deadlock was broken in the 39th minute. After several ricochets from a corner, Ami Diallo headed in to give the hosts the lead. Buoyed by the opener, Ivory Coast pushed again, only for Isra to produce an goalline clearance to keep Pakistan within one.

The hosts continued to press after the interval, and their second arrived in the 69th minute — another corner, another header, this time from Habibou Oudraogo.

Minutes later, Pakistan were reduced to ten players when Anmol handled the ball on the goalline and was shown a straight red card. Zeeyana, however, produced a superb save to deny Bernadette Amani from the penalty spot.

The goalkeeper was not finished. In the 83rd minute, she denied another goal with an outstretched left foot, then dived to her right to stop a free kick, capping an immense individual contribution.

Head coach Adeel Rizki acknowledged the quality of the opposition while expressing satisfaction with his team’s discipline.

“We were up against a tough opponent so it was key that we kept our shape and discipline,” Adeel said.

“Overall it was a very satisfying performance from the team to hold them to just two goals. These games are a learning curve for us and the more we play against such opponents, the more we will get better.”

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2026

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