Pakistan Aims for Football, Hires Scotland Coach

PAKISTAN have turned to Steve Kean, Fulham’s assistant manager, to fulfil their ambition of reaching the World Cup finals in 2010. Their football association, based in Lahore, have offered the Scot a pivotal role in a multi-million pound restructuring plan designed to drag them out of the lower reaches of the FIFA world rankings and qualify for the World Cup in South Africa.
Although cricket remains the undisputed primary sport in Pakistan, the government are prepared to underwrite the revamp with football’s popularity at an all-time high. It is also hoped the game can play a vital role in the recovery of a country destroyed by the recent earthquake.