ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Thursday expressed best wishes for the Saudi football team that secured a convincing victory against one of the most formidable soccer playing countries, Argentina, in a FIFA World Cup match in Qatar.
The Saudi national team’s performance was applauded by sports enthusiasts across the world, many of whom described the outcome of the game as the biggest upset in the tournament’s history.
The kingdom announced a public holiday to celebrate success after its players defeated the South American team by two goals to one.
“You may have seen the tweet of the Prime Minister congratulating Saudi Arabia on their recent victory,” said foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during her weekly media briefing. “They have our best wishes for the rest of the tournament.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif felicitated Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after Saudi football players outclassed Argentina, saying the Green Falcons had “made history.”
“What a game of football it was,” he exclaimed on Twitter. “Saudi Arabia made history today by staging the biggest upset in the FIFA World Cup thriller against Argentina. Heartiest congratulations to HRH Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. We share the happiness of our Saudi brothers & sisters on this great win.”
The foreign office also congratulated Qatar for being the first Muslim and Arab country to host the football World Cup.
“Pakistan is assisting the Qatari government in security for the World Cup,” the spokesperson said. “We wish them a great tournament.”
