By Faizan Liaquat
Match Report of 2nd Quarter Final between KRL and KPT
KRL are through to the Semi-Final of the 1st NBP President Cup 2017 after defeating KPT 3-0 at KPT Stadium on Tuesday as Muhammad Imran scored twice in the first half while in-form Murtuza Hussain once again appeared on the scoring sheet.
KRL who started the match as favorite to win this entirely controlled the game against KPT. The first 15 minutes of the game were physical as KPT pushed them self to find an early goal. In 11th minute of the game KPT made a dangerous counter attack in which their left winger shoots from a very tight angle but Saqib Hanif keeper of KRL saved it very easily. Umair Ali who is in a very good touch scored a goal in 32nd minute of the game but referee ruled out that one as the lines man believed that Umair was off-side. But the star of today’s game was Muhammad Imran as he scored his first goal for KRL in 40th minute of the match, Murtuza who controlled the ball perfectly in the middle passes the ball to Umair Ali on left hand side where he saw Muhammad Imran is making a run from the other side so he decided to go for a cross in which he succeeded, when Imran received the ball he dribble past one defender and scored with his right foot and the ball goes into the right top corner.
In 45th minute of the match KRL’s Imran scored a brilliant volley from the same position from where he scored his first to give his side 2-0 lead before the half time. The 4-3-2-1 formation of KRL worked perfectly as lone striker Murtuza broke the defensive line of KPT many times in the first half.
KRL continued to dominate the game in the 2nd half as they scored their 3rd and final goal of the game when Murtuza guided the ball into the net as he received the ball from Muhammad Adil from right side.
Murtuza Hussain (KRL)
“Important thing for me is to help my side first, personal achievements comes later. My understanding with Umair is very good, we are playing together form a very long time and I hope we both will continue this in the remaining matches of the competition”
KPT who was still searching for the consolation goal, their captain hit’s the post after taking a dazzling free kick from 22 yards in 81st minute of the game. The match ended 3-0 and KRL qualifies for the semifinal where they will face Karachi Electric on 26 January.
Muhammad Adil (KRL)
“It’s a big achievement, every single member of the squad played important part in this success. Personally I am very happy with my performance.”
“The difference was very clear between KRL and KPT, as I believed they lacked in fitness. They pushed really hard in the first 25-30 mints and wasted their energy so we took this opportunity and scored late in the first half twice. Our physio Shahid Ahmed is working very hard with us and trying his level best to keep all of us fit”
“Yes, it’s a Final before Final, KE is a reigning champions of PPL and they have a very good squad. Essa, Rasool, Riaz, Jhangir and of course Kaleemullah all are star player’s. It will be a cracker and I really hope that the people of Karachi will come in large number to see that game.” Told footballpakistan.com when asked about the semifinal.
Saqib Hanif (Keeper KRL)
“I am confident that we will win against KE, with the way we are playing right now I think we can defeat any side. We have a well-organized defense, talented mid-field and very dangerous attack. Umair and Murtuza both having great time in this tournament and I really hope that they will continue this in semifinal”