Pakistan's FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign ended with a 4-2 defeat to Vietnam on Friday, but the Greenshirts showed they could compete against higher-ranked opponents. Nolberto Solano's men had dug deep to come from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw against the Philippines in their previous Division I Group 'B' match and gave a good account of themselves against Vietnam, a side ranked 99 places above them in the FIFA rankings, and took the lead through Mohibullah's superb first-half goal.

Goals by Long Hai Nguyen, Duc Hoang Nguyen and Bac Dinh Nguyen, however, saw Vietnam take a 3-1 lead and even though Kaleemullah Khan replied for Pakistan, Hoang Minh Williams got their fourth and they held on to take second place in the group behind Thailand. The Philippines finished third, with Pakistan ending with one point in their maiden campaign at a FIFA competition. Pakistan dominated the first half and deservedly led by the end of it.

Needing a victory to have any chance of reaching the bronze medal match, they started in the same vein as their stirring second-half fightback against the Philippines in their last game. In the opening minutes, a delightful one-two with Abdul Samad Shahzad sent Ali Akbar Khan into the box, only for his effort to be blocked. As early as the fifth minute, Pakistan had their first shot with Shayek Dost heading wide after more good work in the midfield.

Pakistan were enjoying plenty of possession early on, but Vietnam grew into the game, and at the other end, Yousuf Butt had to be alert to turn away a deflected shot. But Pakistan were back to doing what was working, with Ali Akbar and Abdul Samad running through the channels on either flank to cause Vietnam problems. Abdul Samad had a shot saved before Pakistan took the lead in the 31st minute through Mohibullah, concluding a historic effort in their debut tournament.