Lahore, 6 Dec: Holders KRL and seven times National Champion and current leader Pakistan WAPDA recorded hard-earned wins to claim three points each in the Pakistan Premier Football League. Muhammad Qasim landed lone goal in the ninth minute as KRL worked over time to beat Afghan FC 1-0 at Govt High School, Chaman. It was sweet revenge over Balochistan-based outfit as KRL lost to them by identical scoreline in October first leg at Rawalpindi. Afghan FC mustered 42 points from 26 matches while KRL have 39 in 24 matches. Despite precious win, KRL lost their key wing full back Luqman who was given marching orders by Referee Sattar Badini.
Baloch FC, who were relegated last year but stayed alive in current league, underwent their 11th defeat when they lost to WAPDA 1-2 at Nushki Football Stadium. WAPDA is well on the way to their 8th national title with 59 points from 24 matches while Baloch FC captured 31 points from 27 matches.
The hero of the match was Jacobabad-born Zulfiqar Ali Shah with two goals, raising his toal to five to join Imran Niazi. Arif Mehmood 20, Khuda Bakhsh 9 are two leading scorers for WAPDA in the event. Known as Zulfi among the colleague and captain Pakistan Youth in past, he slammed the first in the 29th minute when he accelerated onto pass from Mehmood Ali to hit the back of the net. Zulfiqar continued his tricky runs around Baloch FC defence and struck his second in the injury time (90+1). Baloch FC pulled one back a minute later through long range drive of Habib Ullah , scoring his fourth goal of the marathon show.
Meanwhile in PFF League Super League matches, Chaman’s Muslim FC overwhelmed Faisalabad’s University FC at Old Campus Ground, Chauburji while Wohaib FC struck lone goal win over Quetta’s Afghan Sports FC at Railway Stadium. The match winning goal was scored by Muhammad Asif in the 75th minute.
Tuesday (7 Dec) Fixture:
Pakistan Premier League: KPT v NBP (KPT – Benazir Sports Complex, West Wharf Road, Kharadar, Karachi 2.30 PM), HBL v KESC (Peoples Sports Complex, Mauripur Road, Lyari Town 2.30 PM)
PFF League: Police v PTV (Railway Stadium 2 PM)