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ISLAMABAD, Nov 17 (APP): Pakistani footballer Aitzaz Ahsan believes the country’s players possess immense talent but lack, opportunities to showcase their skills, emphasizing that establishing a domestic football league should be of great help.
“After competing in a domestic league, it is essential for Pakistani footballers to gain experience in international leagues. Strong performances in domestic competitions pave the way for players to get signed by international clubs,” he said, speaking ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Qualification Group E match against Syria, here at the Jinnah Stadium of Pakistan Sports Complex. Pakistan and Syria will face each other on Tuesday.
Pakistan head coach Nolberto Solano, said the team is fully aware of the challenges. He emphasized the importance of giving players international exposure and said Pakistan must engage in continuous football activity.
Solano noted that the national team delivered an improved performance against Afghanistan and that players are eager to perform in the upcoming fixture.
He revealed that there are plans to bring more talent into the national squad, and every upcoming international match will hold great importance. The goal, he said, is to assemble the strongest possible squad for the national team. Syria currently holds the top position in the group standings. In their last away encounter, Syria defeated Pakistan 2–0.
The Syrian captain Mahmoud Al-Mawas said the Pakistani spectators will get to witness high-quality football.
He added that Syria has played good football throughout the qualifying round and has strengthened its game through a continuous developmental journey.
He expressed confidence that the match against Pakistan will be a good contest.
Syria’s football head coach Jose Lana said they received a warm welcome in Pakistan and commended the excellent security arrangements.
He acknowledged that winning international-level matches is always challenging and that the match against Pakistan will not be an easy one.
He shared that Syria has more than 200 international-level players in total. Every match of the Syrian Premier League is monitored closely before the national squad is formed, and from the league, around 60 players are shortlisted for the team.