[Revised news headline]
Lahore, 11 Dec: 1990 NFCC Champion KPT once again missed chances after chances as they went down 0-1 to PAF at KPT – Benazir Sports Complex, West Wharf Road, Kharadar, Karachi. The lone goal was scored by Toba Tek Singh-born Muhammad Zeeshan in the 22nd minute. The man erupted by Rao Athar FC drifted in from right flank, went round advancing keeper Ehsan Ullah and steered the ball into empty net. KPT might have scored the equalizer but Muhammad Waseem failed to beat keeper Khalid in the 25th minute and sixty seconds later Muhammad bin Younus was aimless.
The 34th minute provided Zahid Ahmed the opportunity off Zafar Majeed but he failed to timed the ball properly. KPT were down 0-1 at interval and missed more chances in the 60th and 62nd minute through Wasim and Zahid while Muhammad Mujahid forced chance for airmen in the 64th minute but wing full back Ubaid and Ehsan came ball’s way. It was KPT’s eighth defeat in the competition.
KESC kept themselves in the second spot with 50 points in 26 matches. They gave no room to PEL in 3-0 win at Peoples Sports Complex, Mauripur Road, Lyari Town .KESC opened the proceedings in whirlwind fashion when Abdul Rehman capitalized Muhammad Essa’s pass in the 30th seconds, becoming one of the four goal scorers inside 35 seconds. Abdul Ghafoor made it 2-0 when he accelerated onto Sohail Nawaz’s pass to the needful. KESC were 2-0 up at interval and struck the third in the 55th minute when Rehman completed his second goal of the match.
Rehman, former KPT player, enhanced his tally to 13 goals and gripped third place after WAPDA’s Arif Mehmood 20 goals and SSGC’s Asim Faiz 15 goals.
PIA suffered their fifth defeat when they failed to resist against Navy’s Naveed Ahmed and went down 2-3 at Sharafi Goth’s Korangi Baloch Stadium, Landhi Town. The 17-year lad from Faisalabad proved too smart for PIA defence and tucked in two goals in the 17th and 71st minute. Navy led 2-1 at interval. Senior winger Muhammad Basharat landed the opener in the 14th minute and Naveed made it 2-0 within 17 minutes as Navy were 2-0 up in initial stages. Strong striker Nazeer Ahmed pulled one back in the 35th minute as Navy were 2-1 up at interval. PIA went all out in second session for equalizer but they were disturbed by Naveed with his second goal . In the 86th minute, Zeeshan Ali was PIA’s second scorer in 2-3 defeat.
In PFF League, Railways kept their chances alive for A-Division Soccer next year with precious 2-1 win over PTV 2-1 at Railway Stadium, Lahore. Railways opened the scoring in the 11th minute but PTV drove home the leveler in the 22nd minute through Shahzad. It was 1-1 at interval and Asif Hameed clipped match winner in the 57th minute.
Sunday (12 Dec) Fixture :
Premier League: HBL v Army (Peoples Sports Complex, Mauripur Road, Lyari Town 2.30 PM, NBP v KRL (Sharafi Goth’s Korangi Baloch Stadium, Landhi Town 2.30 PM, SSGC v WAPDA (CDGK Stadium, Sheldon Road, Saddar Town 2.30 PM)
PFF League : Baloch FC v Muslim FC (Punjab Football Stadium 10.30 AM), Wohaib FC University FC (Punjab Football Stadium 12.30 PM)