KARACHI: Habib Bank Limited (HBL) produced their first win of the season when they beat four-time former champions WAPDA 2-1 while National Bank joined Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) on the top spot with a 2-1 victory over Faisalabad’s PMC Athletico in their matches of the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League held at different venues of Punjab on Saturday.
At the Railways Stadium in Lahore, HBL, who were running in extremely poor fashion, surprised WAPDA for their maiden triumph of the season to take their points to nine from 11 games.
HBL coach Yousuf Khan was elated by the splendid performance of his team.
“You know WAPDA are a much better side and a win against them is a morale booster for our boys,” Yousuf told ‘The News’.
“Every player extended hundred percent and I hope that the victory will instill much confidence in the players,” added Yousuf.
Asim Mansoor put HBL ahead with a fine field effort in the tenth minute. However, WAPDA, who tasted their second defeat of the season, bounced back through international midfielder Imran Niazi who fired the equalizer in the 43rd minute. After the breather tough fight was witnessed but it were the bankers who scored the winner through young striker Mohammad Yaqoob in the 79th minute.
WAPDA have 15 points from nine matches after the loss.
Meanwhile, undefeated National Bank came from behind to engineer their fifth victory by outgunning hosts PMC Athletico in a game dominated by the bankers at the PMC Ground in Faisalabad. The victory took National Bank join KESC on the top of the table as both share 22 points.
Mohammad Yasir opened the scoring for PMC in the 15th minute. But the blow did not deter National Bank from playing in offensive manner and it paid dividends as they landed two goals through Waseem Qadir and Farooq Shah in the 46th and 66th minute to seal a comfortable victory in the end. PMC are reeling at six points from eight meetings.
National Bank coach Nasir Ismail said that for the first his team played outstandingly.
“I have seen my team for the first time in real form,” Nasir said.
“The way they played was a treat to watch. And one thing which I will appreciate that the boys played according to the plan and it is a sort of approach if we keep it up will help us cement further our position,” added Nasir, also a License A coach. PMC striker Mohammad Usman was booked twice which means that he will not be able to play his team’s next match.
At the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad Ansar Abbas struck in the 34th minute as former champions Army defeated Navy 1-0. Army moved to 15 points from nine matches while Navy have 13 points from 11 meetings. Army skipper Jaffar Khan was also shown red card.
Today’s fixtures: PAF v Afghan FC (PAF Complex, Peshawar), ZTBL v Muslim FC (Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad), Wohaib Club v PIA (UMT Ground, Lahore).
Source: The News
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012(9th PPFL-2012)
Match Results (Saturday, October 06, 2012)
Match # 73
Army beat Navy 1:0 @ 1530 PST @ Army Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Scorer Army: Ansar Abbas (FW) 1 Goal @ 24 Mnt.
RED CARD: Jaffer Khan @ 58 Mnt.
Best Player: Masroor (DF) of Army
Best Scorer: Ansar Abbas (FW) of Army
Match Commissioner: Gohar Zaman Cell # 0300-9003002
Match # 74
HBL beat WAPDA 2:1 @ 1530 PST @ Railway Football Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
Scorer HBL: Asif Mansoor 1 Goals @ 10, Mnt and M. Yaqoob (FW) 1 Goal @ 79 Mnt.
Scorer WAPDA: Imran Niazi 1 Goal @ 43 Mnt.
Yellow Card: M. Ibrahim (MF) @ 90+3 Mnt.
Best Player: Adil (DF) of HBL
Best Scorer: M. Yaqoob (FW) of HBL
Match Commissioner: Rasheed Mahmood Butt Cell # 0333-4349648
Match # 75
NBP beat PMC FC 2:1 @ 1530 PST @ PMC Football Ground, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Scorer NBP: Waseem Qadir (MF) 1 Goal @ 40 Mnt and Farooq Shah (FW) 1 Goal @ 66 Mnt.
Scorer PMC FC: M. Yasir 1 Goal @ 43 Mnt.
Yellow Card NBP: M. Umar (Goal Keeper) @ 90 Mnt.
Yellow Card PMC: Munawar Hussain (FW) @ 15 Mnt
RED CARD: M. Usman (FW) Two Yellow Cards @ 45+1& 90+1 Mnt.
Best Player: Waqas Ahmed of PMC FC
Best Scorer: Farooq Shah of NBP
Match Commissioner: Mian Bari Cell # 0300-7890300
Tomorrow 9th PPFL-2012 Fixture :( Sunday, October 07, 2012)
Match # 76 PAF Vs Afghan FC @ 1500 PST @ PAF Complex Ground, Peshawar, Pakistan
Match # 77 ZTBL Vs Muslim FC @ 1530 PST @ Jinnah Football Stadium, Islamabad, Pakistan
Match # 78 KRL Vs KESC @ 1530 PST @ Railway Football Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
Match # 79 Wohaib FC Vs PIA @ 1530 PST @ UMT Football Ground, Lahore, Pakistan