Pakistan's 1-0 victory over Cambodia in a World Cup qualifier this week hardly registered on soccer's radar yet such was the significance for the national team that manager Stephen Constantine said he had never seen so many grown men cry.

A 67th minute goal by Harun Hamid in the second leg ensured Pakistan progressed to the second round of Asia's World Cup 2026 on aggregate having drawn 0-0 draw in Phnom Penh.

It was Pakistan's first-ever World Cup qualifying round win and the country's first international victory of any sort since 2018 and sparked celebrations at Islamabad's Jinnah Sports Stadium.

Englishman Constantine had only taken over in late September, tasked with ending a 13-match losing sequence with a squad pieced together from home and overseas-based players, some of whom had not played a competitive match for months.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hosting-more-major-tournaments-on-australias-radar-after-womens-world-cup-success-648877">Hosting more major tournaments on Australia’s radar after Women’s World Cup success</a>

"It is an unbelievable atmosphere here, I've not seen so many grown men cry in all my life," the 61-year-old Constantine, whose coaching career includes stints in charge of Nepal, Malawi, Sudan, Rwanda and India, told the BBC.

"It is a massive deal; in their 75-year history it is the first time they've qualified for the second stage, they haven't won since 2018 and it was the first home game for eight and a half years. It has been unbelievably emotional.

"I've only been here three and a half weeks, not even. I'm just really pleased for the people, the players and Pakistan football."

Cricket is by far the most popular sport in Pakistan with soccer a very distant poor relation in comparison.

Ranked 197th in the world, Pakistan were banned by world soccer body FIFA in April 2021 for 15 months because of 'undue third party interference' -- their second ban in four years.

"We don't have regular football; half of them have part-time jobs ... and that makes the double result even more impressive. Some of them haven't played for months," Constantine said.

Pakistan will now face matches against Asia powerhouse Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Jordan in the second round, which begins in November although Constantine does not know whether he will still be in charge as he is on a short-term arrangement.

"The next game is away to Saudi Arabia in November, so welcome to the real world! My current deal finishes in the next three days ..." he said. "They cannot give me a full one-year, two-year term. The PFF (Pakistan Football Federation) will have to come up with some sort of plan. I'm assuming they want me to stay but we'll see."

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Pakistan's 1-0 victory over Cambodia in a World Cup qualifier this week hardly registered on soccer's radar yet such was the significance for the national team that manager Stephen Constantine said he had never seen so many grown men cry.

Pakistan's 1-0 victory over Cambodia in a World Cup qualifier this week hardly registered on soccer's radar yet such was the significance for the national team that manager Stephen Constantine said he had never seen so many grown men cry. A 67th minute goal by Harun Hamid in the second leg ensured Pakistan progressed to the second round of Asia's World Cup 2026 on aggregate having drawn 0-0 draw in Phnom Penh. It was Pakistan's first-ever World Cup qualifying round win and the country's first international victory of any sort since 2018 and sparked celebrations at Islamabad's Jinnah Sports Stadium. Englishman Constantine had only taken over in late September, tasked with ending a 13-match losing sequence with a squad pieced together from home and overseas-based players, some of whom had not played a competitive match for months. ALSO READ: Hosting more major tournaments on Australia’s radar after Women’s World Cup success "It is an unbelievable atmosphere here, I've not seen so many grown men cry in all my life," the 61-year-old Constantine, whose coaching career includes stints in charge of Nepal, Malawi, Sudan, Rwanda and India, told the BBC. "It is a massive deal; in their 75-year history it is the first time they've qualified for the second stage, they haven't won since 2018 and it was the first home game for eight and a half years. It has been unbelievably emotional. "I've only been here three and a half weeks, not even. I'm just really pleased for the people, the players and Pakistan football." Cricket is by far the most popular sport in Pakistan with soccer a very distant poor relation in comparison. Ranked 197th in the world, Pakistan were banned by world soccer body FIFA in April 2021 for 15 months because of 'undue third party interference' -- their second ban in four years. "We don't have regular football; half of them have part-time jobs ... and that makes the double result even more impressive. Some of them haven't played for months," Constantine said. Pakistan will now face matches against Asia powerhouse Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Jordan in the second round, which begins in November although Constantine does not know whether he will still be in charge as he is on a short-term arrangement. "The next game is away to Saudi Arabia in November, so welcome to the real world! My current deal finishes in the next three days ..." he said. "They cannot give me a full one-year, two-year term. The PFF (Pakistan Football Federation) will have to come up with some sort of plan. I'm assuming they want me to stay but we'll see." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Football: Never seen so many grown men cry: Manager Stephen on Pakistan's win in Asia's World Cup qualifiers

Stephen Constantine has stepped down as the head coach of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-drop-out-of-asian-cup-after-90th-minute-loss-to-bahrain-190318">Indian national football team after they crashed out of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup </a>on Monday.

India needed a draw against Bahrain in their final group match to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time ever in their history. However, they were thwarted in cruel fashion as an 89th-minute penalty from Jamal Rashed handed Bahrain all three points.

Immediately after the defeat, the Englishman revealed that he had decided to step down from his position.

"I have been here for four years. My objective from day one was to qualify for the Asian Cup and we have done that," expressed the coach.

"I am exceptionally proud of the players for everything that they have given. I thank the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Kushal Das, Praful Patel and Abhishek Yadav for the support that they have given me."&nbsp;

"I think my cycle is finished. I did what I was asked. It is time for me to move on," he concluded.

India had started the Asian Cup campaign in fantastic fashion, after a 4-1 thumping of Thailand. But defeats to UAE and Bahrain saw them finish last in their group.

Stephen Constantine has stepped down as the head coach of the Indian national football team after they crashed out of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup on Monday. India needed a draw against Bahrain in their final group match to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time ever in their history.

Stephen Constantine has stepped down as the head coach of the Indian national football team after they crashed out of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup on Monday. India needed a draw against Bahrain in their final group match to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time ever in their history. However, they were thwarted in cruel fashion as an 89th-minute penalty from Jamal Rashed handed Bahrain all three points. Immediately after the defeat, the Englishman revealed that he had decided to step down from his position. "I have been here for four years. My objective from day one was to qualify for the Asian Cup and we have done that," expressed the coach. "I am exceptionally proud of the players for everything that they have given. I thank the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Kushal Das, Praful Patel and Abhishek Yadav for the support that they have given me." "I think my cycle is finished. I did what I was asked. It is time for me to move on," he concluded. India had started the Asian Cup campaign in fantastic fashion, after a 4-1 thumping of Thailand. But defeats to UAE and Bahrain saw them finish last in their group.

After defeat against Bahrain, Stephen Constantine resigns as Indian football team coach

A nomadic English coach whose colourful career has taken him from Millwall to Malawi has got cricket-mad India dreaming of Asian Cup football glory.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/asian-cup-2019-sunil-chhetri-strikes-twice-as-india-defeat-thailand-4-1-188580">India stunned Thailand 4-1 in their opening match</a> last weekend to record their first victory at the tournament in over 50 years and despite losing 2-0 to hosts United Arab Emirates, Stephen Constantine insists football has knocked cricket of its perch -- at least for a little bit.

"After qualifying and two outstanding performances we have done that and more," the 56-year-old Londoner told AFP in an interview.

"Indians do love their cricket but you really are seeing a metamorphosis in football and that is really something to be proud of.

"To get to the knockout stages would be massive," added Constantine, who has repeatedly been overlooked for jobs in his home country.&nbsp;

"But whatever happens, we've already overachieved."

Veteran striker Sunil Chhetri overtook Lionel Messi in international goals during the win over Thailand, earning comparisons with India's cricket skipper Virat Kohli for his heroics, and the Blue Tigers still have their eye on a place in the last 16.

"Football is as popular in India in my opinion -- it's just not written about as much," said Constantine, who witnessed conflict, bloodshed and human suffering in his time coaching Malawi, Sudan and Rwanda before returning for a second spell as India boss four years ago.

"Of course when the cricket team is doing well and the football isn't, there is only going to be one winner.&nbsp;

"But that has all changed," he added, pointing to the progress his rough diamonds have made and the positive impact of the domestic Indian Super League since its launch in 2013.

"The fact that we are capable of playing the bigger teams and to compete was not the case when I arrived. We are a solid unit, we work very hard on all aspects of the game and on our day can hurt most teams."

Drastic improvement

Despite a population of 1.3 billion, India has barely registered on the football map -- until now.

Beaten finalists on their Asian Cup debut in 1964 when it was a four-team competition won by Israel, they last qualified in 2011 when they were thrashed by Australia, Bahrain and South Korea, conceding 13 goals in the process.

But the step up in quality shown by the world's 97th-ranked national side this time around has been little short of astonishing.

"In a nutshell it's down to the players, they have given me everything," said Constantine, whose young team face Bahrain on Monday in their final Group A game.

"I'm so proud of the work rate, determination and the attitude of the players."

Part of the secret of India's drastic improvement under Constantine lies in the Englishman's emphasis on sports science, nutrition and monitoring the "wellness" of his players.

"That holistic approach has proved to be successful over the last several years both here in India and in other countries I have coached in," said Constantine, who as Sudan coach once had rifles pulled on him while driving from Khartoum to scout a player.&nbsp;

Constantine is not easily intimidated, sparking dismay in India by stripping Chhetri of the captaincy before the Asian Cup.

But he has bowled a googly at his critics as harmony has returned, and he promises the best is yet to come.

"When I think back to 2015 and where we were, we have indeed come a long way," he said. "The fact that this is the youngest team in the history of Indian football, I'm certain the future is bright."

A nomadic English coach whose colourful career has taken him from Millwall to Malawi has got cricket-mad India dreaming of Asian Cup football glory. India stunned Thailand 4-1 in their opening match last weekend to record their first victory at the tournament in over 50 years and despite losing 2-0 to hosts United Arab Emirates, Stephen Constantine insists football has knocked cricket of its perch -- at least for a little bit.

A nomadic English coach whose colourful career has taken him from Millwall to Malawi has got cricket-mad India dreaming of Asian Cup football glory. India stunned Thailand 4-1 in their opening match last weekend to record their first victory at the tournament in over 50 years and despite losing 2-0 to hosts United Arab Emirates, Stephen Constantine insists football has knocked cricket of its perch -- at least for a little bit. "After qualifying and two outstanding performances we have done that and more," the 56-year-old Londoner told AFP in an interview. "Indians do love their cricket but you really are seeing a metamorphosis in football and that is really something to be proud of. "To get to the knockout stages would be massive," added Constantine, who has repeatedly been overlooked for jobs in his home country. "But whatever happens, we've already overachieved." Veteran striker Sunil Chhetri overtook Lionel Messi in international goals during the win over Thailand, earning comparisons with India's cricket skipper Virat Kohli for his heroics, and the Blue Tigers still have their eye on a place in the last 16. "Football is as popular in India in my opinion -- it's just not written about as much," said Constantine, who witnessed conflict, bloodshed and human suffering in his time coaching Malawi, Sudan and Rwanda before returning for a second spell as India boss four years ago. "Of course when the cricket team is doing well and the football isn't, there is only going to be one winner. "But that has all changed," he added, pointing to the progress his rough diamonds have made and the positive impact of the domestic Indian Super League since its launch in 2013. "The fact that we are capable of playing the bigger teams and to compete was not the case when I arrived. We are a solid unit, we work very hard on all aspects of the game and on our day can hurt most teams." Drastic improvement Despite a population of 1.3 billion, India has barely registered on the football map -- until now. Beaten finalists on their Asian Cup debut in 1964 when it was a four-team competition won by Israel, they last qualified in 2011 when they were thrashed by Australia, Bahrain and South Korea, conceding 13 goals in the process. But the step up in quality shown by the world's 97th-ranked national side this time around has been little short of astonishing. "In a nutshell it's down to the players, they have given me everything," said Constantine, whose young team face Bahrain on Monday in their final Group A game. "I'm so proud of the work rate, determination and the attitude of the players." Part of the secret of India's drastic improvement under Constantine lies in the Englishman's emphasis on sports science, nutrition and monitoring the "wellness" of his players. "That holistic approach has proved to be successful over the last several years both here in India and in other countries I have coached in," said Constantine, who as Sudan coach once had rifles pulled on him while driving from Khartoum to scout a player. Constantine is not easily intimidated, sparking dismay in India by stripping Chhetri of the captaincy before the Asian Cup. But he has bowled a googly at his critics as harmony has returned, and he promises the best is yet to come. "When I think back to 2015 and where we were, we have indeed come a long way," he said. "The fact that this is the youngest team in the history of Indian football, I'm certain the future is bright."

Football is the new cricket in India, says coach Stephen Constantine