The 9th Karachi United Football League 2011-12 saw an extraordinary Group ‘B’ encounter between Gulshan Soccer (Central) and Al-Shabaz (Korangi) at Drigh Road Union Stadium in Karachi on Thursday, 27 October 2011. Gulshan Soccer were left bitterly disappointed after suffering a 0-3 loss at the hands of Al-Shabaz after missing a 1st half penalty and 2 sure shot chances in 2nd half to score past Al-Shabaz goalkeeper Manzoor Alam.
Gulshan Soccer began the game with confidence as their forwards Adam Jee, Kashif Ali, Syed Mehmood, and Ameen put pressure on Al-Shabaz’s defence but failed to go past in-form goalie Manzoor Alam. Al-Shabaz then took a lead against the run of play in 19th minute when Fareed Alam scored from a Shah Alam pass when Gulshan goalkeeper Syed Utaiba fumbled the loose ball. Gulshan Soccer then earned a golden opportunity to equalise in 38th minute when referee Javed Bangash awarded them a penalty, but Muhammad Khalid’s kick narrowly went the wrong side of the post as Al-Shabaz held on to a 1-0 win at half time.
At half time, both teams met the chief guest in former footballer and national referee Karim Bakhsh Chandio. In 2nd half, the match gathered pace as Gulshan Soccer attempted to draw level but were left frustrated. Al-Shabaz then made it 2-0 in 66th minute as when veteran striker Abdur Rehman scored from a rebounded effort after his earlier shot had the struck the post. Gulshan Soccer became desperate but they squandered two golden chances in quick succession as the ball failed to enter the empty left.
Eventually, Al-Shabaz put the tie out of Gulshan Soccer’s reach as Abdur Rehman’s through ball found the pacy Fareed Alam as the captain made it 3-0 in 77th minute. The game finished 3-0 in favour of Al-Shabaz who alse earned 3 vital points while Gulshan Soccer would be kicking themselves for their poor finishing throughout the match.
Referees were Javed Bangash, Qari Tahir, Mumtaz Jami, and match commissioner Abdul Karim. On Saturday (29 October 2011), Korangi Baloch Stadium in Sharafi plays host to Madina Shabaz (Baldia Town) and Baloch Mohammadan (Malir) at 4 PM.
