KARACHI: Four matches were decided in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) as holders KRL, Pakistan WAPDA, PEL and Pakistan Army gained full three points at Peshawar, Faisalabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi respectively.
KRL recorded a goal in each session to beat PAF 2-0 at Qayyum Stadium in Peshawar. The Samar Ishaq-led team dominated the show and gave no room to the airmen. Lanky Winger Muhammad Qasim broke the deadlock in the 37th minute as Rawalpindi-based team lead 1-0 at interval. Other winger Kalim Ullah Khan, who joined KRL from Afghan FC, made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute when he side-stepped three markers to seal the fate of the match.
Pakistan Army came out victorious with a last-gasp goal. The all-services clash between Navy and Army turned out to be a listless affair as both teams relied too heavily on defensive tactics and moves were far and few in between at the Municipal Stadium in Rawalpindi. The all-important goal was scored by wing-back Umar Daraz in the final minute of the game.
PMC Athletico Faisalabad failed to oppose all out pressure of seven-time champions WAPDA at Agriculture University Ground of Faisalabad and suffered a 0-3 defeat. Skipper Arif Mehmood slammed two goals in the second and 14th minute and it was left to winger Imran Niazi to add the third in the 35th minute.
PEL managed their first win when substitute Asmatullah netted in the closing minutes as Lahore outfit registered a 2-1 win over Sahiwal’s Young Blood at Model Town Football Academy Ground in Lahore.
Midfielder Muhammad Rashid opened the scoring in the 11th minute from the penalty-mark. FIFA Referee Rana Naseer Ahmed penalised reckless challenge of Young Blood skipper Naeem Riaz against PEL winger Waqas Ahmed and pointed to the spot.
But Young Blood came back strongly and drew level within 45 seconds when Asim Mansoor scored. But Muzaffar Ali swept a well flighted ball from the right wing and Asmatullah was on hand to head it past Muzammil.