ABIDJAN (Kashmir English): Pakistan women are all ready for the next match against Mauritania on Sunday (today), after a record-breaking 8-0 victory over the Turks and Caicos Islands in their FIFA Series opener on Thursday.
Pakistan’s record-breaking victory on Thursday has sent confidence soaring through the squad, said all-time leading goalscorer Nadia Khan.
Head coach Adeel Rizki, however, warned against complacency ahead of the Sunday fixture.
Pakistan made a wonderful start to their campaign at the Stade Alassane Ouattara, with Zahmena Malik opening the scoring in the 10th minute.
After Nadia Khan tested Turks and Caicos goalkeeper Archenie Desir with a shot from long range, Pakistan opened the scoring in the 10th minute with Zahmena Malik finding the back of the net.
Pakistan women continued to press with midfield as Layla Banaras made it 3-0 with a weaving run and smart finish just past the half-hour mark.
Pakistan had pinned their opponents in the opposing half for almost the entirety of the match. Mariam got on the scoresheet in the 38th when she volleyed in a cross at the back post. Pakistan continued in the same vein in the second half, finishing it 8-0.
The victory surpassed Pakistan’s previous best of 7-0 against the Maldives in September 2022 and marked a historic start to the team’s first-ever FIFA event.
Nadia described the achievement as overwhelming in a video released by the Pakistan Football Federation. “It’s an amazing feeling initially, I don’t think it sunk in until after the match,” Nadia who plays for English outfit Blackburn Rovers, said.
“It was just an overwhelming feeling and it is so amazing to do it with the national team. I am proud of myself and the overall performance.”
“It boosts our confidence so much, the scoreline meant so much to us,” the forward added. “This scoreline is something else.”
About Pakistan’s match against Mauritania today, Nadia said the team was working tirelessly to take the pitch.
“We are looking forward to the game. We are ready. I can’t wait for it,” she said.
FIFA Women’s Series 2026
The FIFA Women’s Series 2026 is the opening women’s edition of FIFA’s international friendly initiative, currently taking place from April 9 to April 18, 2026, featuring 16 women’s national teams competing in four cross-confederation groups hosted in Brazil, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Thailand.
