Stephen Constantine, the head coach of the Pakistan men’s football team, was taken aback on the morning of October 17 when he found out that his squad had bought him a cake for his 61st birthday. Despite being a strict disciplinarian, Constantine made it clear that he expected a birthday gift in the form of a victory over Cambodia in the World Cup qualifier match scheduled for later that day in Islamabad’s Jinnah Sports Stadium.
However, despite his instructions, the team not only secured a win against Cambodia but also went on to surprise him by smashing two cakes in his face to celebrate his special day. In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Constantine shared his thoughts on the historic win and the unexpected birthday celebration that followed. The English coach reflected on the challenges of leading the Pakistan national team and his determination to take on one of the toughest jobs in international football.
The photograph accompanying the article shows Stephen Constantine with the Pakistan players in Saudi Arabia, providing a glimpse into the coach’s journey with the team. For more insights from the well-travelled coach, don’t miss Al Jazeera’s full interview with Stephen Constantine.
