KARACHI: The Saudi Arabian football team, which will play Pakistan in the second round match of the ongoing Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has postponed its arrival in Islamabad by a day due to poor training and field conditions.

The Saudi Arabian team was to reach Pakistan's capital on June 6, two days before the match, but now it will reach a day before the game.

A Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) source said Saudi Arabian football officials are not satisfied with the training fields and conditions at the Jinnah Sports Complex in Islamabad, where the match will be held.

Pakistan are struggling at the bottom of Group G after losing 0-4 to Saudi Arabia and then 1-6 to Tajikistan in Al-Ahsa. Jordan also defeated Pakistan in Islamabad and thrashed them 7–0 in return in Amman.

However, Pakistan team's performance analyst and assistant coach Trishan Patel is optimistic that the team will again perform better against Saudi Arabia in the match to be held in June.

"The players realize that they need to finish the qualifiers on a good note and fight back and they are more committed to playing their final two games against Saudi and Tajikistan with more tactical understanding," Patel said. or ah

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