Pakistan, July 6 -- Pakistan on Saturday achieved a 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan in their qualifying match for the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian Cup, bringing them one step closer to qualifying for the tournament.

The national squad was drawn in Group 'D' of the qualifiers in Jakarta alongside Chinese Taipei, Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan lost their first match of the campaign to Chinese Taipei 8-0 on June 29, but beat hosts Indonesia 2-0 in their second group match this week. Mariam Mahmood scored her first international goal in the very first minute of the match.

"Layla Aliya won possession at the halfway line and threaded a pass that initially looked to be claimed by Dilnura Abibulla, only for the Kyrgyz R...