Kalri Star (Lyari) boosted their chances in qualifying for ‘Super League’ phase of the 9th UBL Omni Karachi United Football League 2011-12 with a 3-2 win over struggling former champions Shazad Mohammadan (Landhi) today, 7 January 2012.
The Baloch Mujahid Stadium (Ibrahim Hyderi, Karachi) witnessed a gripping Group ‘B’ encounter between the two sides. The 59th game of the current KUFL season saw Kalri Star take the lead after 11 minutes Muhammad Habib headed home a Muhammad Lal cross. But Shazad Mohammadan equalised in 32nd minute when right winger Muhammad Younas set up striker Fazal Baloch to make it 1-1. Shazad Mohammadan then took a 2-1 lead when Younas again provided a pass to Asghar Baloch to score with aplomb in 39th minute.
3 minutes later, both teams each lost a man when Kalri’s Zubair Faiz and Shazad’s Adil Khan both got red carded for serious foul play by the referee Anser Javed in 42nd minute. 2 minutes later, Kalri Star made it 2-2 when Aamir Dur Muhammad scored from a Muhammad Habib pass. At half time, the score was an exciting 2-2.
In 2nd half, the pace of the game did not die down as Kalri Star attempted to finish off Shazad Mohammadan. After a plethora of missed chances, Kalri Star got the decisive goal with 5 minutes left as Muhammad Lal combined well with Aamir Dur Muhammad to score past Shazad goalie Naveed Baloch to make it 3-2. The goal proved to be enough for Kalri Star as they got 3 precious points to boost their chances for next round place while Shazad Mohammadan were left bitterly disappointed for another lost encounter.
The resut left Kalri Star lying in 1st place of Group ‘B’ with 12 points from 7 games, ahead of rivals Baloch Youth FC (Garden) and Burma Mohammadan (Malir) who both have 10 points each. Shazad Mohammadan lie on a dismal 7 points from 5 games.
Referees were Anser Javed, Babar Khan, S Mehmood, with Abdul Karim as match commissioner.