DFA East to face Pak PWD in NBP Peace Cup final

DFA East to face Pak PWD in NBP Peace Cup final

The All-Pakistan National Bank Peace Football Cup saw completion of its semi-final stage on 13-14 December 2012 at Shaheed Abdur Rehman Baloch Stadium in Gabol Park, Lyari, Karachi.

Pak Public Works Department (PPWD) while face Karachi’s DFA East in the final on Sunday, 16 December.

In first semi-final, PPWD had to fight hard to beat favourites Gwadar Port Authority in front of a capacity crowd. Both sides missed numerous chances as the score remained 0-0 at end of normal time, forcing a penalty shootout. PPWD’s goalkeeper Sajid Baloch was hero in the shootout as he saved attempts by Gwadar Port players, while PPWD’s Muhammad Ramzan and Hashmat Ullah score to help them win 2-0 on penalties.

The match was attended by former national team coach and NBP head coach Syed Nasir Ismail as chief guest. Others present included DFA South president Gulab Baloch, secretary Jan Muhammad, legendary player Ali Nawaz Baloch, journalist Riaz Ahmed et al.

The second semi-final between a strong DFA East and an impressive DFA Hyderabad proved to be one sided. DFA East dominated from the start and won 3-0 thanks to well-taken goals Aqeel Khan (30′), Azam Sports’ young winger Naveed Ullah (54′), and captain Zahid Khan (65′) to reach the final.

DFA East president Syed Usman Shah, who had already promised to gift the players with tracksuits, was ecstatic with the performance of his side.

Referees for the semis were Fareed Ahmed, Abdul Khaliq, Anees Akhtar, Younas Lal, Jalal Azam, and match commissioner Yaqoob Baloch.

The All-Sindh Qazi Abdur Rasheed Bhatti Invitational Football Tournament, being hosted by Pak Sports FC at Municipal High School Ground in Nawabshah (Shaheed Benazirabad), reached its conclusion yesterday.

The all-Nawabshah final between Firdous FC and Movement FC was won by Firdos 1-0 thanks to Adnan’s goal. Movement won a penalty in the game but failed to beat Firdos’ goalkeeper Yousaf. Final was supervised by M Umar, Imran Brohi, with Zain ul Abideen as match commissioner.

Young Baloch’s Abdul Hafeez was given Player of the Tournament award for his goal scoring that included the event’s sole hat-trick. Chief guest was Aziz Khan Jadoon who gave prizes to the finalists. Firdous FC supremo Mir Saif ur Rehman Raisani praised his team for the win and praised the organising efforts of Pak Sports FC, football organiser Master Riasat Ali, and Karachi journalist Riaz Ahmed.

Firdous and Movement had previously beaten Young Baloch on penalties 5-4 and Aslam Azad 5-1 respectively in the semi-finals.