By Our Lahore Correspondents
Lahore 4th Feb. 2011:
Pakistan National Team today won 5-0 in a friendly match held at MTFC Ground against an All Star Lahore Selection coached and captained by Faisal Amir and managed by FPDC Lahore Correspondent Gauhar Mahmood Azeem.
Both sides showed great discipline and fair play with each other. The Lahore-select shook hands with their national team counterparts as well as introducing themselves to head coach Tariq Lutfi as well as his assistants Gohar Zaman, Nasir Ismail, and Aslam Khan.
The match was very equal in the first 20 Minutes, but then Pakistan scored twice in 30th and 40th minute. There were doubts about offside for those goals but lack of linesmen to judge meant both teams accepted the goals without any problem as Nasir Ismail was guest referee.
After the break the second half started very quick and the match was again to be a close one. Pakistan then showed what they learned from coach Tariq Lutfi and two more Goals were scored in the 70th Minute and just after that as the impressive Lahore Athletico side could not respond against the onslaught.
The two goals were scored by Rizwan and Jadeed Khan, and were amazing shots from outside the box that beat goalkeeper Kamran (LESCO) of Athletico Lahore all ends up. The two superb strikes were applauded by both sets of players.
The National Team tried as much as 18 Players for the match and Canadian-Pakistani goalkeeper from Denmark, Yousuf Butt played the first half where he did organise his defence better but was rarely troubled, while the second half was played by KESC Goalkeeper M. Umar. Best players in the game were Rizwan Asif (KRL) and a very good Mehmood Khan (WAPDA). Irfan Khan from Bradford Park Avenue AFC came on in the second half. Jadid Khan Pathan scored a good goal from outside the box.
The Athletico Lahore XI had mostly boys from Fame FC (Zaka Gondal, rising star Usman Virk, etc) with some guests like Waqas, as well as from Wohaib FC (Idriss etc) and Muhammad Ahmed from WAPDA while Faisal Amir Khan was player-coach for the side. Muhammad Ahmed and Usman Virk impressed with his energetic and ambitious displays.
At the end of the game, both sets of players applauded each other and had a good time on the pitch.
Pakistan’s National Team will leave for Thailand on Sunday and all people are invited to see off the team at 4.15 pm at Lahore’s Football House (Ferozpur Road).
