[Source: Riaz Ahmed, KUYFL Administrator and veteran football journalist]
Organised by The Karachi United Foundation on home-and-away basis, the Karachi United Youth Football League saw Korangi centre beat hosts Malir Centre 1-0 at Jam Stadium Malir to gain 3 precious points. The decisive goal of the game was scored by Korangi’s Muhammad Younas while tournament administrator awarded Malir’s goalkeeper Muhammad Ayaz the man of the match award after reaching a consensus with the coaches of both teams.
Both sides showcased some superb freekick taking skills as Korangi centre’s Muhammad Usman and Muhammad Younas, and Malir’s Faheem and Sanaullah had their respective dead ball efforts on target, only to be kept out thanks to some superb goalkeeping from Malir’s Ayaz and Korangi’s Abdul Haq. From the start of the game both teams showed tremendous skill and organisation although Korangi eventually overcame their equally impressive opponents.
Playing a 4-4-2 formation under former internationals Abdul Ghani (KPT) and Shafique Baloch, Korangi centre unleashed some excellent attacks on Malir centre thanks to their strikers Muhammad Younas and Hassan Ali and midfielders Muhammad Usman, Muhammad Rafique, Ibrahim, and Nauman. But Malir’s defence comprising of Saeed, Muhammad, Mukhtar, and Wajahat as well as goalkeeper M. Ayaz stood firm as the game remained 0-0 at half time.
After the break, Malir’s coaching staff of former international captain Tariq Hussain (HBL) and fellow international Muhammad Ilyas (Sindh Government Press) changed to a 4-3-3 formation comprising of Faheem, Sanaullah, and Rashid as strikers. Korangi created some good opportunities but Korangi’s defence of Umar, Aziz ur Rehman, Ishaq, and Hamza held firm to keep the score at 0-0. However 5 minutes before the final whistle, a cross from Korangi right winger Muhammad Rafique was converted into a goal by Muhammad Younas to give them the decisive 1-0 lead.
Match Referee was Ahmed Lal with assistants Naveed Baloch and Waleed Baloch while match commissioner was Secretary Referees Central Zone, Khalid Majeed. On Sunday Korangi centre will take on North Nazimabad centre at Korangi Baloch Stadium in Sharafi Goth.