Alam Zeb Safi [The News]
Monday, September 10, 2012
KARACHI: National Bank came from behind to hold Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) to a 1-1 draw, while the clash between Navy and Habib Bank Limited (HBL) ended in a goalless stalemate at the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League here on Sunday.
In Rawalpindi, two-time defending champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) beat former champions Army 1-0 after a tight game.
Here at the People’s Sports Complex, the KESC-NBP game truly excited the spectators with both sides playing vigorously.
In the first half, KESC fully dominated the game but failed to capitalise on a few chances.
A couple of pile-drivers from KESC’s dashing striker Mohammad Rasool went off the target. Rasool, who also plays for Pakistan senior team, has something of a great striker but his coaches will have to work on his accuracy.
Rasool’s fellow striker Mohammad Moosa, playing for the first time at that position, remained off-colour. In the 28th minute, young midfielder Mohammad Riaz failed to convert an easy chance.
A moment latter, Riaz found Rasool on the right flank but the latter’s drive was smartly gathered by National Bank’s keeper Mohammad Omar.
Soon after a goalless first half, keeper Jehangir Khan saved KESC from a blow when he collected a close-range drive from Farooq Shah, who had missed his team’s previous match against KPT due to suspension.
Following a few incisive rallies, Mohammad Riaz put KESC ahead with a super field goal in the 63rd minute. However, they failed to keep pressure on the bankers who were attacking from both wings.
International midfielder Faisal Iqbal brought an equaliser for National Bank with a 77th minute strike.
After the equaliser, both sides made concerted efforts but failed to add to their tallies.
In the dying moments, KESC skipper Mohammad Essa’s pile-driver was acrobatically gathered by keeper Mohammad Omar and soon after that came the final whistle.
“We missed a few chances. Our defence did not play the way it should have,” KESC skipper Mohammad Essa told ‘The News’. “Rasool had a few nice drives gone off the target. Moosa on the other hand looked unimpressive because he was playing for the first time in the frontline position,” former Pakistan captain said.
“The ground is also not good and we have written twice to the PFF that our home ground is KPT Stadium. We have already made payment to their administration but I don’t know why they have fixed our home matches here,” added Essa.
NBP coach Nasir Ismail was satisfied with his team’s performance. “We did not play good game in the first half but after the interval, the players followed my instructions which went in our favour as we at least held the rivals to a draw,” said Nasir. Both KESC and National Bank have five points each from three meetings now.
At the KPT Stadium, Habib Bank held Navy to a goalless draw. “It was a balanced match and our keeper Sajid Hussain was excellent under the cage,” HBL manager Yousuf Khan said. Navy’s coach Lt Commander Mehfooz said that both the teams played really well. “I think both the teams played excellent football. We missed a few chances but it’s part of the game and we will try to raise our performance,” Mehfooz remarked.
HBL opened their account with one point from two games, while Navy inflated their tally to four points from three meetings.
At the Army Stadium in Rawalpindi, KRL produced their third straight win when they outgunned Army 1-0 to take their points to nine from three matches. International striker Mohammad Qasim scored the winner in the 45th minute.
At the Sadiq Shaheed Stadium in Quetta, the match between Afghan FC Chaman and Baloch FC Nushki was abandoned due to heavy rain.
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012(9th PPFL-2012)
Match Result (Sunday, September 09, 2012)
Match # 12
Afghan FC Vs Baloch FC @ 1600 PST @ Sadiq Shaheed Football Stadium, Quetta, Pakistan
(Match abandoned due to cat & dog rain in Quetta)
Match Commissioner: Ghulam Muhammad Samad Cell # 0333-78288087
Match # 13
KRL beat Army 1:0 @ 1600 PST @ Army Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Scorer KRL: Muhammad Qasim (FW) 1 Goal @ 45 Mnt.
Yellow Card KRL: Muhammad Qasim @52 Mnt, Zeeshan @ 79 Mnt and Husain 90+2 Mnt.
Yellow Card Army: Shabbir @ 17 Mnt and Mansoor @ 41 Mnt.
Best Player: Samar Ishaq of KRL
Best Scorer: Muhammad Qasim
Match Commissioner: Ghulam Muhammad Samad Cell # 0333-78288087
Match # 14
Navy Vs HBL 0:0 draw @ 1600 PST @ KPT Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Yellow Card Navy: Mohsin @ 14 Mnt, Basharat @ 59 Mnt and Naveed @ 76 Mnt
Yellow Card HBL: Shahid @ 51 Mnt.
Best Player: Sajid Hussain (Goalkeeper) of HBL
Match Commissioner: Abdul Shakoor Baloch Cell # 0321-9299986
Match # 15
KESC Vs NBP 1: 1 draw @ 1600 PST @ Peoples Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Scorer KESC: Muhammad Riaz (FW) @ 63 Mnt.
Scorer NBP: Faisal Iqbal (MF) @ 73 Mnt.
Yellow Card KESC: Abbas Ali @ 14 Mnt and Jalil Ahmed @ 49 Mnt
Yellow Card: Ali @ 61 Mnt, Abdul Aziz @ 75 Mnt and Misbah-ul-Hussain @ 90+2
Best Player: Muhammad Riaz of KESC
Match Commissioner: Ali Nawaz Baloch Cell # 0300-2146038
Tomorrow 9th PPFL-2012 Fixture :( Monday, September 10, 2012)
Match # 16 KPT Vs PIA @ 1600 PST @ KPT Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Today’s fixture: KPT v PIA (KPT Stadium, Karachi).