Lahore, 21 September: Chaman-born winger Saad Ullah slammed injury time goal to give Pak Elekron Limited (PEL) 1-0 win over PMC Athletico Club Faisalabad in the Pakistan Premier Football League at Model Town Football Academy Ground, Lahore while shaky, lethargic Young Blood failed to resist pressure of seven-time National title holder WAPDA and suffered 0-4 drubbing at Rai Ali Nawaz Stadium, near Fareed Town Police Station, Sahiwal.
WAPDA had to thanks their star striker Arif Mehmood for impressive win as he became the first hat-trick maker of the event. Leading Scorer in PPFL 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009, Multan-born Arif, skipper of Pakistan U23 team in 11th SAG 2010 at Dhaka, struck three times. Famous as Arifi in football circles, Arif opened scoring in the 29th minute with nice slip pass keeper Muzammil Yousaf and added another six minutes later. WAPDA led 2-0 at interval and Arif completed well-meriterd hat-trick in the 59th minute when he utilized penalty-kick with ease. International midfielder from Quetta, Mahmood Ali rounded off the tally in the 85th minute after Imran Niazi and Qamar Zaman had moved in concert.
The highly-absorbing match between PEL and PMC saw both goal keepers – Zahid Iqbal and Saqib Hanif – in fine touch and they foiled all the attempts came their way. PEL, who fielded Faisalabad-born Muzaffar Ali with captain’s arm band, won early ball and Muzaffar himself came close twice in the first six minutes. PMC’s best move was recorded in the 18th minute but Saqib tipped striker Naveed Mumtaz’s fierce drive over the bar. Haroon Yousaf-led PMC, with stoppers Tanveer Ahmed and Waqas Ahmed in fine defensive mood, might have scored in the 23rd minute but winger Hashim Chaudhry’s drive kissed the bar and went into safety. Front-runner Waheed Hameed, a product of AFC U13 Festival of Football, came close in the 34th minute for PEL but his drive took deflection off Zahid, went on bar and rebounded into play. It was 0-0 at interval.
PMC might have scored in the 63rd and 76th minute but Naveed Mumtaz and Bashir Ahmed failed to beat keeper Saqib. When it seemed the match would end in scoreless draw, Sargodha-born Muhammad Bilal swept the ball across the area and Saad Ullah, standing at near post, pushed the ball past Zahid’s left hand. It was PEL’s second win in the competion while Faisalabad-born had a disappointing start, losing all their three matches. .
Wednesday (22 Sep) Fixture :
KPT v PIA (KPT – Benazir Sports Complex, West Wharf Road, Kharadar, Karachi 4 PM), KESC v NBP (Peoples Sports Complex, Mauripur Road, Lyari Town, Karachi 4 PM)