KARACHI: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) once again rose to the second spot as they defeated Lahore’s Wohaib Club 3-0 in the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League on Sunday, while Karachi Port Trust (KPT) were held by Nushki’s Baloch FC to a goalless draw.
At the PAF Complex Ground in Peshawar, PAF continued their fine run, recording their 11th victory from 18 matches when they overwhelmed Wohaib Club with an enviable ease to occupy second spot with 37 points. They are now three points behind leaders Khan Research Laboratories (KRL).
Former champions Army also have 37 points but their goal-average is less than PAF.
“We won but I am not satisfied with my strikers’ striking ability,” PAF coach Mohammad Arshad told ‘The News’ from Peshawar.
“In the first half we were also a bit unlucky as three of our shots crashed the post while we also missed two one-to-one chances,” the coach said. “In the second half we disciplined ourselves which paid dividends as three goals were scored. If we kept with the same pace then I am confident that we would finish at a decent position,” said Arshad, a former international player.
After a goalless first half, Wohaib Club, who were also being watched by their owner Hafiz Salman Butt, conceded an own goal in the 47th minute when Naeem Akhtar guided the ball into his own net while clearing on a perfect drive from PAF striker Mansoor Khan, the hero of Pakistan’s title triumph at the SAFF Under-16 Championship in Nepal last year. Wohaib Club tried counter-attacks, but failed to bring any respite and PAF doubled their lead in the 62nd minute through their skipper Mohammad Zeeshan.
The hosts kept the pressure up and inflated their lead through a fine field goal from Arif Nawaz in the injury time to complete a convincing victory. “We were missing our main striker Mujahid who is going to get married.”
He said they were producing good results although their strength was reduced by injuries to Asmatullah and Faisal Firdous.
Wohaib Club, with the loss, were left reeling at eight points from 17 games. Wohaib Club appear in danger of losing their place in the top league, which they had entered after four years.
At the Nushki Stadium in Nushki, Baloch FC got a crucial point by holding KPT to a draw and stretch their tally to nine from 18.
They too are in danger of losing their seat for the next season.
By virtue of the single point KPT moved to 17 points from 17 outings.
A KPT official claimed the referees had favoured Baloch FC. “Referees were giving decisions against us. I think the PFF should depute a monitoring committee to watch what is happening in Balochistan with the visiting teams. Premier League is a prime event; the authorities should take it seriously.
The departments spend huge money on their teams; treating them like this is injustice,” the official lamented. Today’s fixtures: ZTBL v PMC Athletico (Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad), Afghan FC v NBP (Government High School, Chaman).
source: Alam Zeb Safi [The News]
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012(9th PPFL-2012)
Match Results (Sunday, November 04, 2012)
Match # 137
PAF beat Wohaib FC @ 14:30 PST @ PAF Complex Ground, Peshawar, Pakistan
Scorer PAF: Naeem Akhter (DF) of Wohaib FC Own Goal in favour of PAF @ 47 Mnt, Muhammad Zeeshan (FW) 1 Goal @ 62 Mnt and Muhammad Mudassar Waseem (MF) 1 Goal @ 90+1 Mnt.
Best Player: Muhammad Zeeshan of PAF
Best Scorer: Muhammad Zeeshan of PAF
Match Commissioner: Syed Imtiaz Ali Shah Cell # 0300-5845782
Match # 138
Baloch FC Vs KPT 0:0 Draw @ 15:00 PST @ Noshki Football Stadium, Noshki, Pakistan
Yellow Card Baloch FC: Habib Ullah (MF) @ 42 Mnt.
Yellow Card KPT: Ubaid (FW) @ 23 Mnt, Zafar Majeed (MF) @ 37 Mnt and Muhammad Akhter (DF) @ 60 Mnt.
Best Player: Sanna Ullah (DF) of Baloch FC
Match Commissioner: Muhammad Shafique Cell # 0301-3737814
9th PPFL-2012 Fixture :( Monday, November 05, 2012)
Match # 139 ZTBL Vs PMC FC @ 14:30 PST @ Jinnah Football Stadium, Islamabad, Pakistan
Match # 140 Afghan FC Vs NBP @ 15:00 PST @ Government High School, Chaman, Pakistan