FIFA Series: Pakistan humble Turks and Caicos Islands to make triumphant start

ABIDJAN: Layla Banaras and Aqsa Mushtaq scored twice each and led Pakistan to a massive 8-0 victory over Turks and Caicos Islands in their FIFA Series campaign opener here at the Stade Alassane Ouattara on Thursday.

The Green Shirts got off to a flamboyant start to the match, courtesy of Zahmena Malik, who opened their scoring in the 10th minute, while Aqsa Mushtaq doubled their lead two minutes later by slotting in a rebound after Mariam Mahmood had forced a save from Turks and Caicos goalkeeper Archenie Desir.

Layla and Mariam struck apiece in quick succession, respectively, bolstering the Green Shirts' lead to 4-0 ahead of the halftime.

The second half followed the same pattern as Pakistan captain Nadia Khan, who had earlier tested Desir with a shot from long range in the first half, eventually got on the scoresheet in the 56th minute by planting a perfect header to a cross from the left.

Aqsa struck again in the 76th minute to make it 6-0 in Pakistan's favour, while Layla also got her second three minutes later, courtesy of a perfectly-placed shot from outside the box.

Isra Khan inflicted the final blow on Turks and Caicos Islands by scoring in the 81st minute and rounded up a dominant 8-0 victory for Pakistan, which is now their biggest in international football, surpassing their previous best of 7-0, which came against Maldives in 2022.

The resounding 8-0 victory put Pakistan at the summit of the Ivory Coast group with three points after one match, while Turks and Caicos Islands succumbed to the bottom with a negative goal difference of eight.

For the unversed, Pakistan's next FIFA Series match is scheduled against Mauritania at the same venue on Sunday.