KARACHI: Former champions Army prolonged KRL’s wait for confirming their crown when they defeated Navy 2-0 to jump to the second spot in the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League here on Sunday.
On the other hand, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) almost survived relegation and rather virtually pushed their closest rivals PMC Athletico FC to the second-tier league when they defeated Afghan FC 3-1.
In another game, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) held former four-time champions WAPDA to a 2-2 draw.
Here at the Naval Sports Complex in Karsaz, Navy, who tasted their 11th defeat, were awarded a disputed penalty in the start but Army’s goalkeeper Jaffar Khan gathered a forceful shot from Mohammad Naved from the spot.
“The referee gave a wrong penalty but thanks God I was able to avert it,” Jaffar told this correspondent.
After a goalless first half, it were Army who got onto the scoresheet through international Ansar Abbas in the 57th minute. Army doubled their lead through Mohammad Rizwan in the 89th minute and the lead lasted till the final whistle.
“I think our team played really well today,” Army captain Jaffar Khan said. “If we went on in the same style we could finish at the second spot,” said Jaffar, also skipper of Pakistan football team.
Army, who inflated their tally to 57 from 27 meetings, still have to play against Karachi Port Trust (KPT), National Bank and Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) in their remaining matches.
Meanwhile, at the Government High School Ground in Chaman ZTBL stunned Afghan FC to take their points tally to 27 from 29 meetings.
The victory virtually saved ZTBL from relegation but the result has put PMC Athletico FC in deep trouble as they have 24 points from 29 meetings and also lag far behind ZTBL on goal difference.
If ZTBL, having goal average of -16, lose against Muslim FC on Tuesday (tomorrow) and PMC FC, having -24 goal average, beat Baloch FC on the same day with a massive margin then they could avert relegation. But that would be a miracle.
Hikmatullah hit a brace for ZTBL with goals in the 68th and 84th minutes, while Hanif Khan netted the third in the 64th minute.
Mohammad Ali landed the consolation goal for the hosts in the 77th minute.
Here at the Peoples Sports Complex, the game between Habib Bank and WAPDA ended in stalemate with both sides taking one point each.
Habib Bank went ahead through Zakir Lashari when he capitalised on a fine cross from Atif from the right flank in the ninth minute.
However, Mohammad Ahmed brought parity for WAPDA with a 20th minute strike. At half time the match was evenly poised at 1-1.
Soon after the breather WAPDA took the lead when Mohammad Ahmed hit his second in the 57th minute. But five minutes later, Habib Bank leveled it 2-2 when Mohammad Ibrahim’s pile-driver from distance went into the net.
“It was a tough match,” Habib Bank coach Yousuf Khan said. “We had finished ninth in the last season but this time we expect to end slightly better but for that we will have to spring surprise against KRL in our last show,” said Yousuf.
The draw helped HBL move to 32 points from 29 meetings while WAPDA inflated their tally to 31 points from 27 appearances.
KRL, who need just a single point to confirm their title, will face National Bank here at the KPT Stadium on Monday (today), while Baloch FC are sure to get a walkover in their game against the already relegated Wohaib Club in Nushki.
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012 (9th PPFL-2012)
Match Results (Sunday, December 06, 2013)
Match # 221
ZTBL beat Afghan FC 3:1 @ 14:30 PST @ Govt. High School Ground, Chaman, Pakistan
Scorer ZTBL: Hanif Khan (FW) 1 Goal @ 64 Mnt and Hikmat Ullah (FW) 2 Goals @ 68, 84 Mnts.
Scorer Afghan FC: Muhammad Ali (FW) 1 Goal @ 77 Mnt.
Best Scorer: Hikmat Ullah (FW) of ZTBL
Best Player: Muhammad Wali (FW) of Afghan FC
Match Commissioner: Ghulam Muhammad Samad Cell # 0333-7828087
Match # 222
Army beat Navy 2:0 @ 14:30 PST @ PNS Karsaz Football Ground, Karachi, Pakistan
Scorer Army: Ansar Abbas (FW) 1 Goal @ 57 Mnt and Muhammad Rizwan (FW) 1 Goal @ 89 Mnt.
Yellow Card Army: Muhabat Wali (DF) @ 31 Mnt.
Yellow Card Navy: Abdul Haq (DF) @ 35 Mnt and Asif Bukhsh (DF) @ 45+1
Best Scorer: Muhammad Rizwan (FW) of Army
Best Player: Shahid Zamir (DF) of Army
Match Commissioner: Ali Nawaz Baloch Cell # 0300-2146038
Match # 223
HBL Vs WAPDA 2:2 Draw @ 14:30 PST @ Peoples Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Scorer HBL: Zakir Lashari (FW) 1 Goal @ 7 Mnt and Muhammad Ibrahim (MF) 1 Goal @ 62 Mnt.
Scorer WAPDA: Muhammad Ahmed (MF) 2 Goals @ 20, 57 Mnts.
Yellow Card HBL: Shahid Ali (DF) @ 30 Mnt.
Best Scorer: Muhammad Ibrahim (MF) of WAPDA
Best Player: Muhammad Ahmed (MF) of WAPDA
Match Commissioner: Abdul Shakoor Baloch Cell # 0321-9299986
9th Pakistan Premier Football League (9th PPFL-2012)
Tomorrow Fixture ( Monday, January 07, 2013)
Match # 224 Baloch FC Vs Wohaib FC @ 14:30 PST @ Noushki Football Stadium, Noushki, Pakistan
Match # 225 NBP Vs KRL @ 14:30 PST @ KPT Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | D | P | Last 5 matches | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KRL | 26 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 62 | 13 | +49 | 65 | W W D L W | ||
| 2 |  |
Pakistan Army | 27 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 35 | 11 | +24 | 57 | W W L W D | |
| 3 |  |
Karachi Electric | 28 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 57 | 26 | +31 | 56 | L D D W W | |
| 4 | Muslim | 28 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 43 | 22 | +21 | 56 | W W W W D | ||
| 5 | |
Pakistan Air Force | 27 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 46 | 18 | +28 | 53 | W D L W W | |
| 6 | National Bank | 27 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 30 | 26 | +4 | 37 | L W W L L | ||
| 7 | |
Pakistan Navy | 28 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 27 | 31 | -4 | 33 | L D W W W | |
| 8 | |
Pakistan Airlines | 28 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 25 | 26 | -1 | 32 | L D D W W | |
| 9 | |
Afghan FC | 27 | 9 | 5 | 13 | 25 | 32 | -7 | 32 | L W L L L | |
| 10 | |
Habib Bank | 29 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 27 | 36 | -9 | 32 | D W W W D | |
| 11 | WAPDA | 27 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 34 | 39 | -5 | 31 | D D W L L | ||
| 12 | |
Karachi Port Trust | 28 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 33 | 43 | -10 | 30 | L L W L W | |
| 13 | Baloch | 28 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 24 | 36 | -12 | 30 | W D D W W | ||
| 14 | ZTBL | 29 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 22 | 38 | -16 | 27 | W D L W L | ||
| 15 | PMC Athletico | 29 | 4 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 44 | -26 | 24 | L W L L D | ||
| 16 | Wohaib | 29 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 8 | 72 | -64 | 8 | L L L L L |