Stephen Constantine, the head coach of the Pakistan men’s football team, recently made history with the team by securing their first win in three decades of World Cup qualifiers. In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Constantine shared the story of how the squad surprised him with a victory over Cambodia as a birthday gift. The 1-0 victory was a monumental achievement for the team and Constantine, who had taken over as coach only days before their first leg in Cambodia. Despite facing adversity, Constantine’s charges were able to get a 0-0 draw in Phnom Penh, and now they are gearing up to face Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Jordan in the second qualification round. Constantine, known for his coaching experience with various national sides, is determined to lead Pakistan to a new era of competitive football. He acknowledges the challenges ahead, especially in their match against Saudi Arabia, but he is committed to building a strong foundation for the future of Pakistani football. With his contract extended until March, Constantine is focused on putting in the hard work and shaping the team for the upcoming matches, despite the uncertainties surrounding the country’s football landscape.