LAHORE: Pakistan went down 0-2 to Saudi Arabia in Group ‘A’ of the 14th Asian U-16 Football Championship at Malaysia’s Shah Alam Stadium on Wednesday.

Pakistan have themselves to blame for the defeat as they missed several chances in the first session through frontrunners Fahim Ahmed, Basit Hassan and Mohammad Fazal.

Saudi keeper Raed Ali Alshmri foiled all their attempts to keep the score 0-0 at interval.

Pakistan’s goalie and captain Ahsanullah also denied the Saudis from scoring. He became a big source of frustration for their frontrunners Fahd Mosaed Almuwallad and Emad Hamad Sanani.

But a defensive blunder allowed the Saudis to break the ice in the 76th minute when midfielder Mohammed Qasem Alnakhli went on his own to clip the ball past Ahsan.

Three minutes from time, an own-goal enhanced the lead to 2-0 when Lahore-born Hassan Saleem Khan curled the ball past his own keeper.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan earned another win when they outran Kuwait 3-0. Mahstaliyev Abbosbek struck twice in the 18th and 66th minutes while substitute Abdullaev Muhammadjon added the third four minutes from time.