KARACHI: Punjab Medical College (PMC) Athletico Faisalabad got relegated to the second-tier league after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Baloch FC while KRL, who have already won the title, defeated Habib Bank Limited (HBL) 2-1 in the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League on Wednesday.
At the Nushki Stadium in Nushki (Balochistan), PMC Athletico’s minor hope of averting relegation also ended after they were held by hosts Baloch FC after a tough fight.
PMC Athletico became the second team after Lahore’s Wohaib FC who relegated to the PFF League (B Division) following their dismal display in the entire marathon as they ended second from bottom with 25 points from their quota of 30 matches.
PMC Athletico was Faisalabad-based outfit and was being led by former Pakistan captain Haroon Yousuf.
As per league rules, two bottom-placed teams are normally relegated. Now the relegated sides will be replaced in the prime league next season by the newly-promoted Faisalabad’s University FC and Chaman’s Pak Afghan Clearing Agency (PACA).
Pakistan’s talented coach Mohammad Habib is coaching University FC, having young and promising footballers and the experts say that this side has the capability to play in the top league for long time.
On the other hand, PACA, who emerged as overall champions of the PFF League (B-Division) is co-owned by former Pakistan captain Mohammad Essa. The team has several players prepared by Essa in his own Essa Khan Academy in Chaman.
“We have a good side and I hope that it will pull off surprises in the top league,” Essa told ‘The News’. PMC-Baloch FC game turned out to be a tough one with both sides offering sufficient resistance in the middle.
After a goalless first half Sanaullah placed hosts Baloch FC in front with a fine field effort in the 68th minute before Waqas Ahmed brought the parity for the visitors PMC Athletico in the 76th minute.
With the single point Baloch FC concluded their journey at 34 points from 30 meetings.
Meanwhile here at the Peoples Sports Complex, KRL, who confirmed their title the other day, edged Habib Bank narrowly to inflate their tally to 69 from 28 outings.
KRL went ahead through Abid Khan in the 26th minute. But six minutes latter Habib Bank brought an equaliser when Atif scored a fine goal by capitalizing on a pass from the left flank. At half-time the match was evenly poised at 1-1.
After the breather, KRL kept tight control on the ball and were able to take the decisive lead through international striker Mohammad Qasim in the 76th minute.
Habib Bank with the loss ended their journey at 32 from 30 appearances.
At the Government High School Ground in Chaman, Muslim FC defeated Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) 1-0 with Mohammad Hanif scoring the winner in the 70th minute.
ZTBL, with the loss, just survived relegation as they ended their voyage at the third spot from bottom with 27 points from 30 matches. Muslim FC, fighting for the runners-up spot, joined KESC on the second spot with 59 points with both sides yet to play their last matches.
Army are the third unit fighting for the second place as they have 57 points from 28 matches.
Today’s fixtures: NBP v Army (Korangi Baloch Football Ground, Sharafi Goth, Karachi), KPT v WAPDA (KPT Stadium, Karachi).
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | D | P | Last 5 matches | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KRL | 28 | 21 | 6 | 1 | 64 | 14 | +50 | 69 | W D W W D | ||
| 2 | Karachi Electric | 29 | 17 | 8 | 4 | 59 | 27 | +32 | 59 | W L D D W | ||
| 3 |  |
Muslim | 29 | 17 | 8 | 4 | 44 | 22 | +22 | 59 | W W W W W | |
| 4 | |
Pakistan Army | 28 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 36 | 13 | +23 | 57 | L W W L W | |
| 5 |  |
Pakistan Air Force | 29 | 15 | 8 | 6 | 46 | 24 | +22 | 53 | L L W D L | |
| 6 | National Bank | 28 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 30 | 26 | +4 | 38 | D L W W L | ||
| 7 | Pakistan Airlines | 29 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 28 | 27 | +1 | 35 | W L D D W | ||
| 8 | |
Afghan FC | 28 | 10 | 5 | 13 | 28 | 32 | -4 | 35 | W L W L L | |
| 9 | |
Baloch | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 28 | 37 | -9 | 34 | D W W D D | |
| 10 | |
Pakistan Navy | 28 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 27 | 31 | -4 | 33 | L D W W W | |
| 11 | |
Habib Bank | 30 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 28 | 38 | -10 | 32 | L D W W W | |
| 12 | |
WAPDA | 28 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 35 | 42 | -7 | 31 | L D D W L | |
| 13 | |
Karachi Port Trust | 28 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 33 | 43 | -10 | 30 | L L W L W | |
| 14 | ZTBL | 30 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 22 | 39 | -17 | 27 | L W D L W | ||
| 15 | PMC Athletico | 30 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 19 | 45 | -26 | 25 | D L W L L | ||
| 16 | Wohaib | 30 | 1 | 5 | 24 | 8 | 75 | -67 | 8 | L L L L L |
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012 (9th PPFL-2012)
Match Results (Wednesday, December 09, 2013)
Match # 229
Muslim FC beat ZTBL 1:0 @ 12:00 PST @ Govt. High School Ground, Chaman, Pakistan
Scorer Muslim FC: Muhammad Hanif (FW) 1 Goal @ 70 Mnt.
Best Scorer: Muhammad Hanif (FW) of Muslim FC
Best Player: Hanif Khan (FW) of ZTBL
Match Commissioner: Ghulam Muhammad Samad Cell # 03478587779
Match # 230
Baloch FC Vs PMC FC 1:1 Draw @ 14:30 PST @ Noushki Football Stadium, Noushki, Pakistan
Scorer Baloch FC: Sanna Ullah (FW) 1 Goal @ 68 Mnt.
Scorer PMC FC: Waqas Ahmed (FW) 1 Goal @ 76 Mnt.
Best Scorer: Sanna Ullah (FW) of Baloch FC
Best Player: Fazal Hussain (FW) of PMC FC
Match Commissioner: Muhammad Shafique Cell # 0301-3737814
Match # 231
KRL beat HBL 2:1 @ 14:30 PST @ Peoples Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Scorer KRL: Abid Khan (FW) 1 Goal @ 26 Mnt and Muhammad Qasim (FW) 1 Goal @ 76 Mnt.
Scorer HBL: Atif (FW) 1 Goal @ 32 Mnt.
Yellow Card KRL: Saquib Hanif (GK) @ 88 Mnt.
Best Scorer: Abid Khan (FW) of KRL
Best Player: Atif (FW) of HBL
Match Commissioner: Ali Nawaz Baloch Cell # 0300-8559807
9th Pakistan Premier Football League (9th PPFL-2012)
Tomorrow Fixture :( Thursday, January 10, 2013)
Match # 232 NBP Vs Army @ 14:30 PST @ Korangi Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Match # 233 KPT Vs WAPDA @ 14:30 PST @ KPT Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan