Lahore, 20 Dec: Sui Southern Gas Company, playing A Division after a lapse of seven years, suffered more frustration when they went down 0-2 at the hands of former National Champion Pakistan Air Force at KPT – Benazir Sports Complex, West Wharf Road, Kharadar, Karachi 2.30 PM). It was 218th clash of Pakistan Premier Football League 2010.
It was the match between two teams who lost the chances of getting top three spot. Both completed 28 matches with PAF capturing 43 points as compared to SSGC’s disappointing 16. WAPDA had already clinched the event grabbing 67 points in 27 matches so far. Army are in second berth with 52 points, followed by KESC, KRL in 51 points. PIA and KPT have collected 47 points and are in 5th and 6th spot, followed by Navy in seventh position with 41 points.
Interlinking with Muhammad Mujahid, and ageing skipper Pervez, former international left winger dominated the midfield. It was fitting that Mujahid opened the scoring, when Zeeshan’s cross in the 23rd minute was only half cleared by SSGC defence. The ball dropped for Mujahid who pushed it past keeper Adnan Ahmed.
Asim Faiz –led SSGC dominated the first half and were the first to settle down but Asim failed to beet keeper Khalid Khan in the 13th minute., Six minutes later Rustam saw the gap but Khlaid was equal to task. The 20th minute saw Asim Faiz failed to catch Imran’s pass when goalie no way.
PAF, under Qazi Asif coaching, took the lead in the 23rd minute and three minutes later more agony was reserved for SSGC when their keeper was sent off by Referee Sattar Badini for tripping advancing left winger Arif Nawaz. SSGC management withdrew Atta Ullah from the field and asked first choice keeper Zaman Ghani to enter the field. Asim missed another chance in the 33rd minute as PAF led 1-0 at interval.
The second goal emerged in the 85th minute Arif Nawaz given too much time outside the area to turn to goal and pick out fast moving Mudassar Wasim, who timed his run into the area to perfection. The substitute tickled the ball from point blank range leaving Ghani no chance. Mudassar might have score more but one of his goal was disallowed by Badini while Ghani parried away his drive on the other occasion.
Tuesday (21 Dec) Fixture: NBP v Navy (Peoples Sports Complex, Mauripur Road, Lyari Town 2.30 PM), Afghan v PIA (KPT – Benazir Sports Complex, West Wharf Road, Kharadar, Karachi 2.30 PM)