The PFF Cup 2016 saw some interesting results today, 12 February 2016, in Lahore. KRL and NBP won their respective games in Group C to guarantee a place in next round while Group B remains close.
At Raiders FC Ground in Faisal Town, multiple national football and cup champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) qualifed for the next round with a 1-0 win over Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) thanks to a 50th minute goal from Murtaza Hussain.
At Fame FC Ground in Model Town, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) also joined KRL with a 1-0 win of their own against Bahawalpur’s Ashraf Sugar Mills through Javed Hamza’s 42nd minute goal from 20 yards out.
The win meant both NBP and KRL share 6 points each, while SNGPL and Ashraf Mills are now eliminated with 0 points from 2 games. The NBP vs KRL game on 14 February will decide the group winners.
Group B saw some surprising twists and turns. At Raiders Ground, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) came from behind to stun former champions WAPDA 2-1. Hasnain Abbas gave WAPDA an early lead after just 3 minutes. The match went back and forth before SSGC equalised through international Saadullah of Pishin in 78th minute. Abdus Salam then gave SSGC a 2-1 lead with 4 minutes left in normal time to complete a stunning comeback over WAPDA.
At Fame Ground, Police made short work of Pakistan Navy. After a cagey first half that remained scoreless, Police took the lead in 68th minute through Izharullah before Muhammad Naveed made it 2-0 in 76th minute to stun Navy.
Group B now has SSGC top on 4 points, WAPDA and Police on 3 points each, with Navy on 1 point and everything to play for when final group games are played on 14 February between WAPDA vs Navy and SSGC vs Police.
On 13 February, 3 games will be played. In Group A, Karachi United will face Saif Textiles at Fame FC Ground knowing a win will be enough to reach next round with Army who face a desperate KPT at Raiders Ground. In Group D, Railways and Bhatti United of Faisalabad play a winner takes all at Raiders FC Ground to join group winners PAF in next round.
Information from PFF Cup 2016 Media Coordinator Riaz Ahmed
