Bandung, 30 September 2026 (Nosheen): Pakistan earned a historic 2-2 draw against the Philippines in the FIFA ASEAN Cup on Tuesday, securing their first-ever point in a FIFA competition and recording a notable result against a side ranked more than 60 places higher. Pakistan initially fell 2-0 behind after the Philippines scored twice early in the match, but Mohammad Ali Akbar pulled one goal back two minutes after half-time before Abdul Samad Arshad completed the comeback with an equaliser around the hour mark. Samad, who plays abroad, joined the national squad in Indonesia on September 25, a day before Pakistan’s opening match against Thailand, which they lost 4-0. Several other overseas-based Pakistani players also joined the team directly in Indonesia instead of attending the short training camp in Islamabad. Pakistan’s preparations were further affected by the absence of head coach Nolberto Solano, who was delayed after applying for the wrong type of Pakistani visa. Assistant coaches Titus Bramble and Walid Javaid supervised the team’s training sessions in his absence. Despite limited preparation and a squad whose players largely do not play together regularly, Pakistan produced a strong fightback against the Philippines to secure their first point and first goals in a FIFA competition. Football analyst Ismail Farooq of FC Nuremberg described the result as a significant achievement for Pakistan football, highlighting the difference in world rankings and football structures between the two sides. Pakistan are ranked 198th in the world, while the Philippines are around 60 places higher and have more established domestic football and grassroots structures.