The 2018 Pakistan Premier Football League – Multan leg at the Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh Stadium in Multan saw two fairly interesting games yesterday night, 28 September 2018.
The 8pm kick-off saw PAF and WAPDA fight a closely contested game that was decided by a solitary goal in 2nd half. PAF striker and Pakistan international Mansoor Khan, hero of Pakistan’s 2011 SAFF U15 Championship win, finally found the target to score against a young WAPDA defence looking to impress.
PAF, the 2018 National Football Challenge Cup winners, got their first win of their campaign following a bland 0-0 opening day draw against K-Electric on 25 September. WAPDA, who were held to a 1-1 draw as 10-men against Army also on opening day, will rue their missed chances as they remain win-less so far.
The 1015pm kick-off saw Afghan FC Chaman and 2014-15 PPFL champions K-Electric play a rather entertaining 2-2 draw. After an unimpressive goal-less first half, the game came into life early in the 2nd half when Afghan FC won a penalty that was subsequently scored by Abdul Rahim in 47th minute. Merely 8 minutes later, Afghan FC’s confident passing and some sloppy marking by KE defence allowed Abdul Rahim to double his and his club’s tally to make it 2-0.
K-Electric had to fight tooth and nail to make amends and ultimately ex Pakistan international and Chitral superstar Muhammad Rasool made it 2-1 in 84th minute. More urgency in KE ranks and nervousness in Afghan FC’s defence then saw Muhammad Dawood equalise with virtually the last seconds of the match in 90+4th minute for KE to make it 2-2.
The Chaman lads will be sorely disappointed in letting go off a two-goal lead while KE breathed a sigh of relief as they aim to gain momentum in defending their league crown. At half time, both teams met local MNA Mian Aamir Dogar of the ruling PTI who has helped PFF in organising the PPFL Multan leg and named in memory of his late father Mian Salahuddin Dogar.
Tonight, 30 September, sees the following PPFL 2018 games: KPT vs Muslim FC Chaman; KRL vs Baloch FC Nushki.