LAHORE – Handicapped by the absence of WAPDA’s defender Manzoor Ahmed, Pakistan opened their campaign on an unsatisfactory note when they lost 3-0 to Turkmenistan in the fourth AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers Group B match on Monday at MBJP Stadium, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Manzoor was not allowed by AFC to appear in the Pakistan-Turkmenistan clash and according to Match Commissioner Manirul Islam (Bangladesh) and Referee Inspector Yazbeck Yazbeck (Lebanon), he was suspended following a red card against Uzbekistan in the 36th Asian U19 Championship at Takhti Stadium, Iran on December 10, 2009.
Turkmenistan took the lead in the sixth minute following a right wing cross and striker Urazov Didarklych made no mistake, giving keeper Muhammad Omar no chance. Turkmenistan led 1-0 at interval as poor finishing by Pakistani front runners allowed them no equaliser. Turkmenistan doubled the margin just a minute into second half and struck again in the 86th minute to seal the match.
