KARACHI: Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) rose to the second spot after inflicting a 2-1 defeat on Nushki’s Baloch FC, while Chaman’s Muslim FC outgunned star-studded National Bank 1-0 in matches of the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League, which resumed on Friday after Eid break.
KESC, who jumped to 36 points from 17 games, one point behind leaders KRL, did not face any tough resistance from underdogs Baloch FC despite the latter’s huge supporting crowd at the Nushki Stadium in Nushki.
Following a flurry of incisive rallies KESC got onto the scoresheet through dashing striker Mohammad Rasool in the 40th minute, his 14th goal in the season, one goal behind KRL’s striker Kaleemullah who has 15 to his credit.
Five minutes after the breather skipper Mohammad Essa doubled the visitors’ lead.
Baloch FC then went all out, but failed to find gaps due to strong defensive work from the KESC and were only able to score the consolation goal seven minutes from time through Mohammad Shehbaz.
Baloch FC were left trailing at eight points from 17 meetings.
“All the boys played extremely well,” KESC coach Akbar Ali told ‘The News’. “We had dominated the game and after scoring two goals the boys got relaxed and that was why they conceded a goal in the end but by that time they had done the job,” added the coach.
“The crowd was good and supporting and the atmosphere was terrific,” Akbar conceded.
At the Government High School Ground in Chaman, Muslim FC recorded their eighth win in 18 games when they edged National Bank to move to 30 points.
Midfielder Hayatullah emerged as the hero for the hosts as he netted the winner from corner in the 45th minute.
“I have been disappointed by the strikers,” National Bank coach Nasir Ismail said. “We missed about seven open net chances. Asif, Farooq Shah and Adam Hameed were off the target. We could win the game but if the strikers don’t contribute what can be done?” said the dejected coach who was recently removed by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) from his position of assistant coach of the national team.
However, Nasir was impressed by the huge crowd, the pitch and the environment in Chaman, a scenic town bordering Afghanistan’s southern province of Kandahar.
“There were 15,000 to 20,000 spectators who were very supportive. I have been coming here for 10 to 12 years, but I have never seen such a well-behaved crowd and the environment. The pitch, which has been prepared recently, contributed to the thrill of the game,” Nasir said.
The loss left National Bank at 29 points from 18 appearances.
At the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) recorded their fourth victory when they outclassed Lahore’s Wohaib Club 3-0 to rise to 18 points from 17 meetings.
Abdul Samad put ZTBL in front in the sixth minute. The hosts added two goals to their tally in the end through Mohammad Naeem and Hanif Khan who landed a goal each in the 85th and in the injury time, respectively.
Wohaib Club’s goalkeeper Zahid Naeem was shown red card in the 86th minute.
Wohaib Club, owned by former PFF secretary Hafiz Salman Butt, are struggling at the rock bottom with eight points from 16 matches.
Today’s fixtures: Army v PMC Athletico (Army Stadium, Rawalpindi), Afghan FC v HBL (Government High School, Chaman), KRL v WAPDA (KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi).
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012(9th PPFL-2012)
Match Results (Friday, November 02, 2012)
Match # 132
ZTBL beat Wohaib FC 3:0 @ 14:30 PST @ Jinnah Football Stadium, Islamabad, Pakistan
Scorer ZTBL: Abdul Sammad (MF) 1 Goal @ 6 Mnt, Muhammad Naeem (FW) 1 Goal @ 85 Mnt and Hanif Khan (FW) 1 Goal @ 90+2 Mnt.
Yellow Card ZTBL: Abdul Samad (MF) @ 7 Mnt.
Yellow Card Wohaib FC: Hassan (MF) @ 71 Mnt.
Red Card Wohaib FC: Zahid Naeem (Goal Keeper) @ 86 Mnt.
Best Player: Muhammad Idrees (DF) of Wohaib FC
Best Scorer: Abdul Sammad (MF) of ZTBL
Match Commissioner: Zaman Khan Cell # 0300-5343428
Match # 133
Muslim FC beat NBP 1:0 @ 14:30 PST @ Government High School, Chaman, Pakistan
Scorer Muslim FC: Hayat Ullah (MF) 1 Goal @ 45 Mnt.
Yellow Card NBP: Mahmood Khan (DF) @ 89 Mnt.
Best Player: Saeed Ahmed (FW) of Muslim FC
Best Scorer: Hayat Ullah (MF) of Muslim FC
Match Commissioner: Salah-ud-Din Awan Cell # 0302-5932197
Match # 134
KESC beat Baloch FC 2:1 @ 15:00 PST @ Noshki Football Stadium, Noshki, Pakistan
Scorer KESC: Muhammad Rasool (FW) 1 Goal @ 40 Mnt and Muhammad Eisa (FW) 1 Goal @ 50 Mnt.
Scorer Baloch FC: Muhammad Shahbaz (FW) 1 Goal @ 83 Mnt.
Yellow Card KESC: Muhammad Musa (DF) @ 29 Mnt and Aurangzaib (MF) @ 79 Mnt.
Best Player: Muhammad Rasool (FW) of KESC
Best Scorer: Muhammad Eisa (FW) of KESC
Match Commissioner: Muhammad Shafique Cell # 0301-3737814
9th PPFL-2012 Fixture :( Saturday, November 03, 2012)
Match # 135 Army Vs PMC FC @ 14:30 PST @ Army Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Match # 136 Afghan FC Vs HBL @ 15:00 PST @ Government High School, Chaman, Pakistan
Match # 168 KRL Vs WAPDA @ 14:30 PST @ KRL Football Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan