Heartbreak for Pakistan: Sola FK Secures Victory in Norway Cup Final
Pakistan endured defeat in the 2023 Norway Cup final against Sola FK, losing in a penalty shootout with a score of 10-9 in Oslo on Saturday.
After extra time, the match concluded with a 1-1 draw.
Despite their valiant efforts throughout the game and the tournament, Pakistan’s team, known as the Men in Green, ultimately fell short in the penalty shootout.
Tufail Shinwari’s skillful free-kick equalized for Pakistan in the first half, countering their initial 1-0 deficit and reinvigorating their chances.
Leading up to the final, Pakistan exhibited an impressive winning streak, securing victory in seven consecutive matches while scoring 28 goals and conceding only two.
Pakistan captivated audiences with their exceptional football performance, distinguishing themselves from other teams in the tournament.
The Men in Green embarked on their journey to the final by overwhelming Frigg Oslo FK 11-1, followed by a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Avroll IL in the group stages.
In the knockout stages, Pakistan defeated Skjold IL with a decisive 2-0 win.
Continuing their strong momentum, the Green Shirts faced Molde FK in the knockout stage, triumphing with a convincing 4-0 victory over the Norwegian club.
Subsequently, Pakistan encountered Trysil FK in the second knockout match, replicating their success by defeating Trysil with four goals.
The impeccable performance continued against Sandviken in the quarter-finals, where Pakistan secured a 2-0 win and secured their spot in the semi-finals.
Displaying their exceptional skills once again, the Green Shirts emerged victorious with a 2-0 triumph against Bremnes in the semi-finals, earning them a place in the final.
Throughout the tournament, Pakistan demonstrated a remarkable scoring record of 28 goals while conceding merely three, highlighting their proficiency not only in winning matches but also in achieving substantial scorelines.
Participating under the banner of the charity organization Muslim Hands, Pakistan competed as Muslim Hands FC in the Norway Cup.
It’s noteworthy that Pakistan’s team attained the runners-up position in the Street Child World Cup in Doha the previous year. Despite an unbeaten streak in the tournament, they narrowly lost the final to Egypt on penalties (4-3).
In previous editions, Pakistan secured the runners-up spot in Russia (2018) and clinched the third-place position in Brazil (2014).
