In a groundbreaking performance that signals a new dawn for women’s football in Pakistan, the national women’s team secured a memorable 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan in their final AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers Group D match. The win marks Pakistan’s second triumph in the qualifiers, a remarkable achievement for a side making its debut appearance on the continental stage.
A Day of Firsts and Fierce Resolve
Facing a Kyrgyzstan side ranked 21 places above them in the FIFA standings, Pakistan entered the fixture as underdogs. But what unfolded on the pitch was a story of ambition, grit, and emerging talent: a performance that not only defied expectations but firmly placed Pakistan as a team to watch in the region.
The star of the night was undoubtedly Mariam Mehmood, who netted both goals for Pakistan in what became her breakthrough performance in national colors. The striker’s brace secured the win and also marked her first-ever goals for the national team: a feat that will be etched in Pakistan football history.
The Breakthrough Moment
It didn’t take long for Pakistan to signal their intent. In the early stages of the match, 20-year-old Layla Banaras, one of the team’s most promising new additions, showed remarkable vision and composure to deliver a pinpoint pass to Mariam Mehmood inside the box. Mariam made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball past the Kyrgyz goalkeeper to give Pakistan an early lead.
Layla’s debut tournament has been nothing short of impressive. Born and raised in the UK, she opted to represent Pakistan at the senior level, bringing international experience and flair to the squad — and in this match, her contribution proved decisive.
Holding Their Nerve
Despite Kyrgyzstan’s attack, Pakistan’s defense held firm through the first half, keeping the opposition scoreless at halftime. The backline, marshaled with determination, stayed disciplined and composed under pressure.
Mariam Mehmood doubled the lead with another well-taken goal, giving Pakistan a crucial cushion in the first half. Kyrgyzstan managed to pull one back in the second half, but Pakistan stayed organized, showing maturity and tactical awareness beyond their years. The final whistle confirmed a historic 2-1 victory and a second win in their three-match campaign.
A Campaign to Remember
This match concluded Pakistan’s journey in Group D, where they previously suffered a loss against Chinese Taipei but recorded two vital wins: an extraordinary return for a team competing in its first-ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifying campaign.
With this win, Pakistan now awaits confirmation regarding progression to the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and while qualification is still subject to results in other groups, the team’s performance has already won the hearts of fans and football watchers across the continent.
What This Means for the Future
Beyond the immediate result, this victory is a strong statement about the growth of women’s football in Pakistan. For a nation where the women’s game is still developing amid limited resources and infrastructure, defeating a higher-ranked team like Kyrgyzstan is a major step forward.
Players like Mariam Mehmood and Layla Banaras symbolize the new generation of Pakistani talent, blending domestic commitment with international exposure. With proper investment, coaching, and support, this squad could lay the foundation for a golden era of women’s football in the country.
Final Score: Kyrgyzstan 1 – 2 Pakistan
Goals for Pakistan: Mariam Mehmood (2)
About the Author
Mohsin Rasheed is the Chief Editor of Footballer.pk, Pakistan’s leading football media platform. He oversees editorial content and regularly contributes match reports, player profiles, and tactical features. You can reach him at [email protected]